Dateline: July 11, 2002

Clarendon enjoys soggy celebration

The 124th anniversary Saints’ Roost Celebration will go down in history as the “soggy celebration” as storm clouds dumped more than two inches of rain but failed to dampen the spirit of the festivities.

Old-timers say they have no recollection of such a heavy rain ever falling on the Fourth of July. Tommie Saye, official observer for the National Weather Service, recorded half an inch of rain by 8 a.m. on July 4 and another 1.74” by the next morning.

The early Thursday morning rain drove many craft fair vendors to the indoors at the Clarendon Community Center, some vendors didn’t show up at all, but a handful of others braved the elements and set up at City Park. The day started off with wet grass and occasional sprinkles as celebration-goers began to congregate at the park.

During the Old Settlers Reunion, P.T. Maxey, age 84, was honored as the oldest person in attendance and having lived in Donley County the longest. Peewee and Jerry Bowen of Dickenson were recognized for having traveled the greatest distance.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club went forward with the annual barbecue, serving 856 people despite the periodic downpours that started just before noon. Fortunately the Shriners had rain insurance, which will help their financial situation. Funds from the barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Temple of the Shrine in Amarillo to help pay for transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals, both of which are Masonic charities operated free of charge.

The Lions Club’s annual Cow Patty Bingo was also carried out in the rain. The calf exhibited more sense than the Lions or the viewers and was reluctant to leave its dry trailer. But it was coaxed out and eventually did its deed on the $50 square with Roberta Pittman’s and Kirsten Bertrand’s names on it.

At 2 p.m. the phrase “raining on my parade” was taken to a new level as the precipitation really cut loose. Exhibiting true rugged pioneer spirit, the folks in the parade marched forward. Many viewers took shelter as much as possible while kids reportedly tried to scoop up candy before it was washed away.

In the Bicycle and Tricycle division, first place winners were Taylon Knorpp, Tres Hommel, and Chris Tiedeman. Second place went to Hannah Hommel, McKinzie Ivey, and Nick Tiedeman. And third place winners were Taylor Perryman, Kendra Davis, and one child whose name and number were washed off the judge’s paper. Each first place winner got $20 from the Donley County State Bank, second place received bike helmets from Duckwall’s and Jim Blackerby, and third place was awarded basketballs from Saye’s.

All bicyclists were supposed to receive a medal from the Chamber of Commerce. If you didn’t get yours, go see Terry at Saye’s.

The CHS Cheerleaders won the Float Division, and Greenbelt Rural Electric Coop took second. The Boys Ranch Riding Club was first place in the Riding Unit Division with the Donley County Horse Club in second place. The Antique Car Division was won by Troy Klepper, and Redell Johnson was second.

The Miscellaneous Division was won by the Clarendon Country Club with its golf carts, and second place went to the Christian Motorcyclists from Christian Heritage Church in Amarillo.

The celebration continued with the Jackpot Bullriding Contest on Thursday night at the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association (COEA) Arena followed by a dance hosted by KEFH.

During the dance, the radio station gave away a pickup to one of 8,000 entrants who registered during a 12-week promotion. The lucky winner of the 2002 Chevy S-10 was Chanla Dixon of Memphis. She picked up her truck the next day at Chamberlain Motor Company, which coincidentally was where she had registered for the drawing. Sponsors of the drawing were KEFH, Chamberlain’s, Knorpp Insurance Agency, and the Donley County State Bank. Seven other finalists received Florida vacations.

The COEA Ranch Rodeo was held July 5 and 6 and was reported to be well attended considering the weather. The Brent Ranch was the overall winner of the competition with the JA Ranch, the Rafter S, and the Running H taking the second through fourth place positions respectively.

Event winners each night were as follows: Friday Bronc Riding, Running H; Saturday Bronc Riding, Brent Ranch; Friday Team Doctoring, Finch/Thornberry Ranch; Saturday Team Doctoring, Matthews/Darcy Ranch; Friday Wild Cow Milking, JA Ranch; Saturday Wild Cow Milking, Rafter S; Friday Team Sorting, JA Ranch; Saturday Team Sorting, Brent Ranch; Friday Branding, Running H; and Saturday Branding, Rafter S.

Top Horseman was Johnny Hill of the Hall Ranch, and Top Hand was Powder Horn of the JA Ranch.

In the junior events of the rodeo, Cody Dryden won the steer riding on Thursday, and Kaleb Shadle won on Friday and Saturday and was the Overall Winner. Corey Dryden won the calf riding on Thursday, Brittany Hargrove had the best score on Friday, and Jayson Pigg won on Saturday and was the Overall Winner.

The Chamber of Commerce trip to Las Vegas was won by Kenny Black. Bill Stavenhagen and Markeeta Howard won the beef drawings on Friday and Saturday respectively. Lois Rowland won the Florida vacation drawing to benefit Macy Judd.