Busy Weekend for Prowers County

The first weekend of autumn provided a busy schedule in and around Prowers County. This year’s Lamar Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest was moved up on the calendar to September 24th.   The date change coincided with the weekend of Holly Gateway Fair activities, which featured their annual 10am parade and even though it was a couple of hours away, some Prowers County residents have the annual Chili Festival in Pueblo penciled in on their list of entertainment activities. This was also the weekend that the mounted shooting events were held at the Prowers County Fairgrounds which had a record number of visitors to test their pistol and rifle skills while blasting away at targets in the arena while on horseback.  Moving the date up or back on the calendar probably wouldn’t have altered the overall attendance as there will always be a weekend event of some kind occurring around the region, especially during the fall.

There was another great turnout for the 5th annual run/walk of Beers and Brats for Boobies, to raise funds for the Lamar Area Hospice. There were cool enough temperatures to allow the participants to enjoy their jaunt and just warm enough that the beer or root beer, hot dog or brat at the finish line would be just what they needed once they hit the finish line.  Older participants who opted for the beer, had their finish at the expanded beer garden, while younger runners, (under 21) went for a root beer at the finish line set up by the Madonna of the Trails statute.  Once the race was over participants had the opportunity to relax and join the crowd in the chamber parking lot.  Organizer Megan Grett explained that she decided to continue the work started by her late sister, Jill Tinnes, who passed away from cancer several years ago.  All the organizers have formed a strong bond of friendship over the years and each year the run becomes a special event for them.  Several hundred participants consisting of cancer survivors or friends and relatives take part, wearing pink tutus if they wish and deciding to walk or run, depending on their abilities.

Vendors and shoppers alike had no problem adjusting to the enlarged area for the beer garden, which opened the area to the entire parking lot, minus the entrance to the Welcome Center on the west end of the lot. Vendors who wanted to, could set up their tables outside the area as well.  Vic Coberly deejayed music through the morning and midafternoon, while local band, JUDI, rocked through the rest of the day.  As always, there was a brisk business for BBQ from the vendors and youngsters burned off some calories and energy in the inflatables and the rock climbing wall, set up on East Beech Street.

Weekend celebrations got off to an early start as the annual Savage homecoming parade was held on Main Street in Lamar on Friday afternoon. This year, coinciding with the reunion from graduates from the Class of 1971 who had their own float in the parade.  Students from different high school classes and sports teams were decked in the school colors as the Lamar Boosters got ready for the traditional hamburger tailgate party at Savage Stadium before the game against the Trinidad Miners.  It was the Savages first win of the season, 10-0 and their first home game of the season.  The game was delayed on Friday because of weather concerns.  A fierce storm was brewing to the southwest which caused two game delays until it moved out of the Lamar area.  Although there were only a few sprinkles around halftime, the safety rules call for a shutdown of the game when lightning strikes are within six miles of the event.

By Russ Baldwin