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EXITPhotos from the Early Quasquicentennial
This photo gallery includes photos taken on Saturday July 21, 2007. It shows the
Farmall Promenade entertaining, Bingo under the tent, Quilt
Show, a few miscellaneous views, Keystone Kops and Kangaroo Kourt, the Antique tractor display, Meal under the tent,
and the Beard Contest. |
Farmall Promenade Performed Saturday July 21, 2007The Farmall Promenade Square-dancing tractors performed at 1:00 pm during Early's Quasquicentennial. There was a large crowd on lawn chairs and filling the bleachers placed for their comfort surrounding the intersection of Main Street and 2nd.The Crowd is ready for the Farmall Promenade performance which started promptly at 1:00. But first they did a little dancing "without" their tractors. 
There is quite a crowd to see the performance. There was standing-room only around the intersection. Some bleachers were full with many bringing their own lawn chairs. 
There was a television reporter with camera filming the performance for the evening news. 
The Farmall Promenaders are moving in synch with their partners. The only sound heard over the music is the squeak of the steering wheels as they whip them around to make the short turns. 
The large crowed weren't too uncomfortable in the sun as the temperatures stayed in the lower 80s and there was a nice breeze. 
One of the founding fathers of the whole Square Dancing Tractor idea in the 1950s was in the audience - Bill Smith now of Storm Lake and formerly from Nemaha. See the Farmall Promenade website at www.farmallpromenade.com for a complete history of how this second version of the Farmall Promenade came to be.  This view looking northwest captures the scene with the historical Wadsley Implement building in back, the blow-up children's play area to the back, right and the flags set out for the weekend celebration.  The action came to a halt when a non-Farmall tractor decided to intervene. It's driver in formal attire was a hit with the "ladies" who came running to the handsome driver much to the dismay of their dancing partners.  One "Lady" even sat on his lap while receiving a bouquet of flowers. But it wasn't long before the intruder was chased away and the dancers were able to continue their dance.  A couple waits until it is their turn to move to the center. 
One of the "girls" got her grass skirt wrapped around the steering wheel and had to get untangled. Their summer attire is grass skirts for the "ladies" and bright shorts and staw hats for the gentlemen. 
They square-danced to the music and followed the caller's patter while trying to keep close to their partners but not touching as they swirled and twirlled in tight circles. 
After the performance the drivers and support personnel mingle with the audience. The dedicated group of performers spend a lot of time practicing new square dance moves so each year's performance is different and more difficult than the previous year. After this performance at 1:00, they loaded up the tractors on semi-trailers and headed to Laurens for an evening show, then to Ashton the next day for their Quasquicentennial. 
The ladies and gents are often asked to pose with family and friends for photos.  Be sure to visit the Farmall Promenade website at www.farmallpromenade.com for their schedule of performances and list of souvenirs.  Bingo under the Big TopBingo was held in the comfort of the big tent sponsored by the Schaller/CrestlandSummer Youth League.
Bingo Caller Jay Irwin passed on the numbers from the young people behind him who manned the automatic bingo board. 
Quilt Show at the Presbyterian ChurchA Quilt show was held at the Presbyterian Church from10:00 - 5:00 pm. There was a large assortment of folded quilts hanging over all the church pews and draped over the podium. Both new and old quilts were featured with quite an assortment of styles and designs. Quilter's names and any historical information about each quilt were attached with notecards.  Miscellaneous ViewsThe people are heading for the main tent at noon at the close of the Big Parade. There was plenty of seating in the shade. People had plenty of options for eating with alternate food sources being a fully-equipped food stand with brauts and burgers, snow cones, cotton candy, hot mini-donuts, etc; soft-serve ice cream sponsored by The Early Drive-in was served out of the Wadsley building, and only a short couple of blocks to Crossroads Restaurant and The Early Drive-in on Highway 20/71.
Example of the official Early Quasquicentennial T-Shirts seen everywhere.  Heartland Marketing were quite visible with their new sign and lovely landscaped lots next to the big tent. They produced the Quasquicentennial History Book and furnished a lot of labor for the mailing for the Early, Crestland, and Schaller-Crestland reunion invitations. Their work was much appreciated which helped make the Quasquicentennial weekend a success.  Kangaroo KourtNo Quasquicentennial is complete without the Keystone Kops keeping law and order.Rich Feilmeier was one to fear as a Keystone Kop during Early's Quasquicentennial. His green ticket book was kept busy as he wrote out summons for infractions of the Kourt rules - Too close to the table, leaving biscuits in the oven too long, frowning too much, etc. His ruler was ready to take measurements whenever it appeared that an unwritten rule was being broken. 
Another Keystone Kop is interviewing a couple of suspects. Often the crime could be easily forgiven with a cash fine to the Kourt. These suspects with their heads hanging appear to be looking for cash to present to the Kourt. 
The honorable Judge is presiding over the Kourt. Suspects are asked to approach the bench. The judgement is swift and the penalties varied depending on the crime and the suspect's ability to pay. 
A bystander overheard this discussion: Judge: Do you have any money?
Antique Tractor DisplayThere was a large and varied assortment of old-time tractors - all in running order and most which also participated in the parade. There were all colors and models on display south of the old lumber store.
They set up after the Big Parade was over and could be viewed anytime in the afternoon. They attached signs to each tractor to inform the public of the owner and year/model of tractor.  Meals Inside the Big TopThere were four serving lines for the noon meal - one on each side of the two buffet tables. You filled your own plate and sat at the ample seating available.
The tables were similar to long picnic tables with nicely-finished bench seats attached. 
The rows kept moving with the aisles set up to handle four rows of people at one time. 
There was a short wait outside during the prime meal time but never did anyone have to stand more than a few minutes.  Volunteers were available to help those whose hands were too full to handle the plate and pour their own beverage. 
Beard Contest Saturday July 21, 2007A highlight of the evening was the Beard Contest held in front of the stage
at 7:00 pm. The participates were judged by former barbers. There was a
nice assortment of beard styles. The men with their backs to the camera were the
judges. |
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