Fine weather and a good turnout highlighted the Hamburg Kiwanis Popcorn Day Festival this year.
Helping to kick off events was the “Pancake Man” Jim Kuper and his happy efforts to feed dozens of Hamburg citizens and visitors as they moved through the cafeteria at Hamburg High School. Jim stages the large breakfast event every year for the Popcorn Festival, with his Fantastic Flapjack Machine that lines them up eight-to-the-bar on a long grill as hungry patrons wait eagerly for the Pancake Man to toss them a pancake.
Toss them he does—often the entire length of the cafeteria, and with good results. Only a few flapjacks fell fatally to the floor.
Sausages, coffee, and lots of butter and syrup were included in the $5 fare. All profits from the breakfast are earmarked for upkeep and improvements on the Hamburg Library.
Just north of that energetic breakfast and behind the library were set up inflatable rock-climbing cliffs, moon-walk houses and several other games where the children could enjoy themselves.
One highlight of the morning was the Great Greased Pig Chase, where kids got to suit up in protective clothing and make their best try for a slippery pig. The kids had a lot of fun with this. The pig didn’t seem to be altogether cheerful.
Later, on a stage set up by the town flagpole, the Little Miss Popcorn Queen candidates presented themselves, dressed in their finest. They were: Alyson Barker, Matty Christiansen, Libby Ferryman, Maci Gubser, Madison Kingery, and Roxanna Snyder. who was crowned Little Miss Popcorn Day Queen.
Then the senior Popcorn Day Queen candidates were presented, each with full credit for their community and scholastic accomplishments. They were: Amy Kay Brennan, Bianca Patel, Rebecca Sears, Jennifer Tierney and Raissa Lynn Walker. Walker was crowned Queen.
A tribute was paid to Art Vogel, the man considered to be the founder and primary energy behind Popcorn Day.
Honored as the Grand Marshals of the parade were Wilbur and Margaret Henkle.
Results
Bands: Overall - Nebraska City; Large School - Nebraska City, first, Shenandoah, second; Small School - Nishnabotna, first, Essex, second, Fremont-Mills, third, Fairfax, fourth; Middle School - Shenandoah, first, Louisville, second.
Frog Jump: Dillon Sears, first; Emily Welch, second; Taviar Keasey, third.
Parade: Country Elegance, first place float; Hamburg United Trinity Church, second place float; Lil’ Devils Football, third place float.
Twenty-three tractors participated in the Cruise and 35 entries were in the parade. The classes of 1990, 1950, 1985, 1970, 1960 and 1965 participated. Other entries included the American Legion Color Guard, VFW of Tabor, fire trucks and ambulances, among others.
Bed races: Class of 92 won first place, Galloping Grannies was second, Redneck Racing was third and Team Ann was fourth.
See next week’s Reporter for more Popcorn Day results and news.
