Clarendon marked the 250th birthday of the United States of America in grand fashion on Saturday, July 4, during the final day of the 149th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration with a large crowd in attendance for the parade and activities on the Donley County Courthouse Square.
This year’s celebration began Thursday, July 2, when Crossties Ministries annual Depression Luncheon was held at the Lions Hall, and the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s Junior Ranch Rodeo closed out the day at the COEA Arena.
More than 100 people attended the Clarendon Lion’s Club’s annual Bag Bingo to start the second day of the celebration. The event gave away 23 prizes ranging from coolers to tool bags to designer purses, ranging in value from about $50 to more than $500. A fiesta lunch was held with the bingo and players.
The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association hosted its ranch rodeos on Friday and Saturday evenings, and those results are also listed in a separate article this week.
The big day of the celebration was Saturday, July 4, with a hot and humid day making it a hot time in the old town, but that did not deter the crowd from joining the festivities.
The theme for this year’s celebration “Stars & Stripes Forever,” and an analytical service provided by the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation estimates that 1,800 people attended Saturday’s events on the square, down slightly from last year. The service from Placer.ai uses location data from mobile devices to analyze foot traffic in businesses and events.
The Liberty Electric Kids Parade started things off Saturday morning with three age categories plus a motorized division. Winners were as follows: Motorized: Ransom Wylee Renee, first; Russell Johnston, second; and Blaze and Tatum Herndon, third. Ages 0-3: Roses and True Henson, first; Jenna Hall, second; and Astrid Jaramillo, third. Ages 5-8: Madilyn Herndon, first; Oakleigh Shields, second, and Saylor Bell, third. Ages 9-12: Kelton Herndon, first; Kinze Zongker, second; and Dalis Reuter, third.
Enterprise Photo Roger Estlack
In the Herring Bank Parade, Les Beaux Arts Club won the first place Float with their Betsy Ross-inspired entry, Lawrence Rose of Amarillo had the best car/truck entry with a 1901 Oldsmobile, the best Animal entry belonged to the Clarendon College Ranch Horse Team with their “Dog & Pony” wagon, Sawyer Hay & Cube had the best Tractor entry, and The Buckin’ Bean had the best Other entry.
The Al Morrah Shrine Club sold completely out of barbecue this year, serving plates to more than 400 people.
The Clarendon Lions Club’s annual Cow Patty Bingo fundraiser was won by Medina Gribble, Russell Estlack, Renee Shields, and Russell Latham.
Henson’s annual Turtle Race was also held Saturday afternoon in its traditional location at Third and Kearney. Winning turtle jockeys this year were: age 0-4, Peyton Hawkins; age 5-8, Payleigh Martin; age 9-12, Elizabeth Newton; and age 13-16, Hunter Wann. Adults then competed in a 17 and up division, and Brandon Herndon took home the official title, and Allie Pittillo won a second unofficial race.
Benjamin Estlack won the 50/50 raffle of the Bronco basketball team. The Courthouse Lighting Committee drawings were won by Joanne Barton, Larry Gray, and Terry Askew.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.