Paris’ Frontier Day no match for the weather

It was a very wet and cold day in Paris but people still got out to enjoy Frontier Day on Saturday (Oct. 6). Taking cover where they could and bundling up, people gathered to watch the parade among many other events.

Starting off the day was the Relay for Life 5k run at 7:30 a.m., which consisted of 13 participants. Everyone finished the race and afterwards were awarded prizes. Cars could be heard across the street arriving for the car show that would begin at 10 a.m.

The clouds rolled in and lightning began so the police showed up to block off the streets and the parade began early around 8:55 a.m. The rain started pouring and it was even hailing a little but that did not stop the parade. Firetrucks, horses, old cars, and political people went down the street throwing candy to the kids. The children did not mind jumping into the puddles to grab the candy.

After the parade around 10 a.m., the Boy Scouts of America posted the colors, the pledge of allegiance was said and the day was officially started.

Last year’s beauty pageant winners came to the stage to show off one last time before having to hand off their crowns at 5 p.m. After that the Barnhill Studios took stage with a performance of “Footloose.” This was performed by girls from Stars of Tomorrow, Batons R Us, and Miss Taylor’s. A demonstration of martial arts forms and weapons took place by Sensai Butch Barnhill.

Quickly following was the speedy turtle race. First and second place made it out of the ring like a flash but the two remaining battled it out for third place for quite some time. At 11 a.m. the Frontier costume contest took place at the Paris museum. Many more events were planned for the day, including nail driving, hay bail tossing, log sawing, a quilt show and a biker rally.

The Mt. Magazine Frontier Day Festival in Paris is always the first Saturday in October.