Texas band ‘The Western Express’ a hit at street dance
“Perfect” was the word most often used to describe the weather for the big finale to Hampton’s 60th anniversary celebration of Booster Days on Sunday. Sunny skies, mild temperatures and an absence of wind made conditions especially pleasant for Sunday’s events which included the community church service, parade, community BBQ supper and numerous other events capping off the three-day celebration. And, although rain showers plagued the events during Saturday’s downtown street dance, the overall celebration was still dubbed an unqualified success by organizers.
The theme for the 60th anniversary event was “Made in the 60’s” since Booster Days started in 1964. That theme was much in evidence with logo t-shirts being worn by many, 60s era clothing (such as the flower-rimmed sunglasses worn by the Hampton Cheer Team) and a number of the parade entries which paid homage to the colorful hippy style of the 60s as well.
Booster Days spokesman Corbin Fagan said despite a weather delay the band The Western Express from Austin, Texas was a big hit at Saturday’s street dance on Main Street.
“The band from Texas went over really well,” Fagan said. “It’s probably something we’re going to try to grow moving forward. I think next year we’re going to a single show format and just have one bigger show on Saturday and kind of make Friday just a little more laid back.”
The outdoor concert was delayed more than an hour after rain showers passed over Hampton, but organizers covered up speakers and other equipment with tarps and the crowd waited out the storm rather than move the program indoors.
“People stuck with us and we had somewhere between 110 and 120 people,” Fagan said.
Fagan says Saturday’s annual sand volleyball tourney also went over well drawing 20 teams (the most ever) from as far away as Grand Island and Lincoln.
“Volleyball seems to go over really well,” Fagan commented.
Sunday’s crowd was so large Fagan reported that the community barbecue featuring pulled pork and ribs eventually ran out of food.
Sunday’s annual parade was a loud and colorful affair which led off with a flyover by local pilots Keal Bockelman and Dr. John Wilcox flying their planes in formation southward down Main Street ahead of the parade.
Coming right behind them was the vehicle carrying this year’s Grand Marshall, 92-year-old, lifelong Hampton resident, Dennis Wall. As Wall passed by, parade narrator Daryl Hilligas told listeners that Wall was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Korea. He said Wall and his wife Bev had been longtime Hampton Hawks supporters, “rarely missing any events while their kids and grandchildren were young.” He also noted that last year they had donated the new digital school sign located on Highway 34.
“Dennis was also very active in the community, serving on many boards and committees at St. Peter Lutheran Church and with the Hampton Coop,” Hilligas continued. “He was a hard working farmer who spent his winters building more than half a dozen Hampton homes and remodeling many others.”
Later, Hampton Fire Chief Dane Schafer echoed those comments and added that the Wall’s were well-deserving of the honor was well-deserved. He called Wall “one of the founders of Hampton as we know it today.”
“They built a lot of houses and he and his wife were true Hampton supporters,” Schafer said.
Balancing out the parade were the American Legion color guard, the Hampton High School Band, floats entered by various businesses and organizations, tractors of all ages, sizes and colors, classic cars and fire trucks.
Winning the award for Best Business entry in the parade was Cindi Ratzlaff of Heads Up Salon, Best Theme went to Damaris Olsen, Best Antique Auto was Jerry and Pat Chadwick for their 1963 Chevy Nova Super Sport, Diana Schulze won Best Antique Tractor with her John Deere 110 and the award for Best Youth entry went to the Hampton Cheerleaders.
Speaking on Monday, Fagan noted the monumental community effort that went into producing the event this year.
“It’s not possible without the Community Club itself and then the many other people who help out,” he said. “It’s no small feat to have three days of events and plans and making sure everybody’s having a good time. It’s fun to see the community come out and support it like they have every year.”
Pedal tractor pull results
Results of the Hampton Booster Days Pedal Tractor Pull Competition were as follows (Contestants listed in order of finish):
4-year-old boys: Maverick Dose, Hampton; Jericho Coffey, York; Colton Herman, Hampton.
4-year-old girls: Myla (Last name unknown); Abigale Winfield, Hampton
5-year-old boys: Alfred Coffey, York; Gatlin Bamesberger, Hampton.
5-year-old girls: Brooklyn Nunnenkamp, Aurora; Kaislyn Cunningham, Yutan.
6-year-old boys: Bodee Conard, Hampton; Eelix Petersen, Hampton.
6-year-old girls: Lux Stevens, Polk; Anniston Arnett, Hampton; Josie Herman, Hampton; Grace Winfield, Hampton.
7-year-old boys: Liam Faller, Hampton; Reid Olsen, Hampton; Carter Nunnenkamp, Aurora; Leyton Bamesberger, Hampton; Ryder Steager, Hampton; Daxton Peterson, Hampton; Jayden Weedin, Hampton; Cameron Weedin, Hampton; Gavin Weedin, Hampton; Krue Cunningham, Yutan.
7-year-old girls: Elizabeth Venteicher, Hampton
8-year-old boys: Felix De La Cruz, Hampton; Bentlee Conard, Hampton; Shia Stevens, Polk; Josh Weedin, Hampton; Tallon Goos, Hampton; Knox Peterson, Hampton.
8-year-old girls: Sophia Clinch, Hordville; Sydney Hansen, Hampton; Dalyna White, Hampton.
9-year-old boys: Wade Bamesberger, Hampton; Wyatt Klute, Hampton; Grady Begley, Hampton; Drazin Baxter, Grand Island; Dedrick Nelson, Minnesota; Daxton Baxter, Grand Island; Bryton Ruh, York.
9-year-old girls: MaKenna Weedin, Hampton.
10-year-old boys: Ethan Spirk, Hampton.
10 year-old girls: Scarlett Hansen, Hampton; Maya Walker; Elizabeth Bamesberger, Hampton; Brinlee Conard, Hampton; Eva De La Cruz, Hampton; Ruth Venteicher, Hampton; Cassidy Goertzen, Hampton.
There were no 11-year-olds signed up for the competition.
12 year-old boys: Grayson Rejewski, Hampton; Owen Begley, Hampton; Samuel Venteicher, Hampton.
The competition held in front of the Auditorium on Sunday afternoon was sponsored by the Hampton FFA Chapter along with Ken Vinick of the Nebraska Pedal Pullers Association.
There were a total of 55 pullers signed up for the competition. The top three boys and top three girls in each division are able to advance to the State Pedal Pull Competition held during the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.