Cowden’s Pioneer Days to Take Place August 28, 29, and 30

FRANK MULHOLLAND - Daily Union Managing Editor

Often times a festival will advertise how they offer something for everyone. The 2009 Cowden Pioneer Days Festival may actually live up to that billing. Whether you are after a parade, flea market, arts and crafts, rodeo, music, food, carnival, history, bingo, or church services you can find it all at the Pioneer Days starting Friday, August 28 and going through Sunday, August 30.

The Wooten Rodeo is a big part of the celebration and is a International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) event. Which means this rodeo will draw professionals from all over the country. One of the event organizers, Barb Sarver said this event attracts large crowds. All reserved seats are $10 for all ages. General admission is $7 for adults and $3 for kids 5 to 11. You can phone for tickets at 783-6321. The Wooten Rodeo will take place on Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. both nights at the Joe Thompson Arena.

“Folks can purchase advance tickets for the rodeo at Miller’s Fertilizer & Seed Company in Cowden,” said Sandy Pettyjohn, another organizer.

There will be a carnival featuring rides for the kids and adults all three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

A big parade with floats, bands, clowns and much more will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 29.

There is a flea market with arts and crafts all three days.

Starting Friday, there is a senior citizen program from 2-4 p.m.. This program will include the crowning of Senior King and Queen. There is also a drawing for senior citizen’s prizes.

Some of the other events taking place Friday night are the Crowning of Pioneer Days Royalty at 5:30 p.m. A baby contest at 6:00 p.m. and Bingo from 7-10 p.m.

Local bands will play all three days. Some of the bands committed to the festival include: Renegades - a local country band; Misdemeanor Band featuring Steve Seaton; Mark Porter, Marsha Banning and the Panther Creek Band from Tennessee; and the Matt Poss and Rolling Thunder Band.

Pettyjohn said the committee is seeking donations to help with the rising costs of hiring the bands. The festival does not charge admission for the many entertainment groups that play over the festival. Some local businesses and civic groups have already chipped in with some donations. If you could possibly help with a donation, you can make your check to Cowden Pioneer Days, and the mailing address is: RR # 1, Box 171, Cowden, IL 62422.

What would a festival be without good food and there will be plenty at the Pioneer Days. Starting Friday night with all you can eat fried fish, shrimp and chicken strips. There is breakfast Saturday and Sunday at the Black Horse Dancers Trailer. That food will have a Native American touch. Then lunch on Saturday is fried chicken or pork roast and all the fixins. Saturday evening the supper meal is fried chicken or baked steak and all the fixins, and Sunday it is fried chicken or ham and all the meals come with side dishes.

Pettyjohn said there will be other food vendors there this year.

“There will be some outside vendors with a different variety of food,” continued Pettyjohn

Saturday starts off with a 5K walk/Run. If you are interested in entering this event you should call 1-618-428-5805.

Saturday will also feature a Arm Wrestling Tournament. Registration will be 10:00 a.m. - noon. There are several different weight classes. For more information on the arm wrestling you may call 343-0154 or 306-1031. The arm wrestling tournament will take place at 1:00 p.m. There are many different kid’s games going on during the day. There will be bingo from 2;00 - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday evening two new event has been added to the festival. One is called Egg Roulette. This involves breaking eggs on your forehead. Some may be hard-boiled and some are not. This event will take place 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The other is the Black Horse Dancers. This is a group of Native American dancers who will perform and compete for prizes. This event will take place 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

“On Sunday there is one event just started last year,’ said Sarver. “That is the Ranch Rodeo”.

Sarver said there are 4-5 events that local folks can compete in. One such event is calf loading. The Ranch Rodeo will take place in the Joe Thompson Arena. If you would like more information call Jake Thompson at 343-0199.

Sunday will see Church Service. The Union Church Service will be held at Tabernacle F.M. Church Grounds next to the park at 10:30 a.m.

Also on Sunday J. Phillips will perform gospel music at 1:00 p.m. Then at 2:00 to 3:15 One Voice Gospel Music will perform.

All during the event you can buy chances for a drawing on Sunday for a John Deere X500M-T W/48X riding lawn mower or a John Deere 4x2TS Gator or $5,000 in cash. There are also many other prizes that have been donated by local merchants including a second place prize of $1,000.

Another big highlight is the Pioneer Village, which features old time displays and crafts in the setting of authentic log cabins.

Sarver and Pettyjohn said the proceeds from this event are used to start next year’s celebration and also goes back into the community in the form of Christmas activities for kids and Easter activities, and park improvements.

Which means you can have a lot of fun, eat some great food, see a big parade and rodeo and help a village all at the same time.

Please remember, No Alcoholic Beverages Allowed. It is also suggested you bring your own lawn chair.

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