Biblesta front and center Saturday

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October 3, 2013 - 12:00 AM

HUMBOLDT — Larry Barnett became more excited with every word he uttered Tuesday evening when the Biblesta Committee met to put finishing touches on Saturday’s 56th annual event.
“We have great music lined up, and the parade will be one the best ever,” said Barnett, chairman of the committee that has met for months to pull together Humboldt’s flagship Christian celebration.
The day starts with a 3Kwalk/5Krun at 8 a.m., with about 80 participants already signed up.
Following a brief lull to permit runners and walkers to catch their breath, Biblesta will launch into non-stop activities until well past nightfall.
First up at 10:30 is an interview by Lloyd Houk of Kevin Olson, whose autobiography, “Learning To Live With It,” tells how he learned to cope with being paralyzed from the shoulders down following a diving accident in July 1991.
Olson, 42, grew up on a farm near Chanute and was an all-state basketball player at Chanute High School. Since 1993, he has devoted his life to kids by tutoring at elementary schools and speaking at schools and churches.
“We have some great entertainment,” noted Barnett, his enthusiasm unabated, with a reunion concert by the “3” Rusty Nails and an appearance by the Missourians before the 1:30 p.m. parade.
The “3” Rusty Nails originated with Houk, Mike Farran, Humboldt, and Ricky Yeager, Le Roy. All are involved in the ministry and carried their message to au- audiences throughout the area with gospel music.
Farran said he left the group eight years ago because of health concerns, with Houk and Yeager then performing together until about two years ago.
“We’ve been rehearsing and it’s great singing together again,” he said.
“And, we’re finding out how ‘rusty’ we’ve gotten,” Houk said with a chuckle.
The reunion concert is a one-time event.
The Missourians’ roots are in Southern gospel music. They have developed a unique blend that combines that genre with a more progressive sound. They are known for lush arrangements, close-knit harmonies and powerful vocals.
What began as a male trio in the 1980s took on traditional four-part harmony several years later.  They perform concerts before thousands as well as at rural churches. Over the past 20 years they have recorded 13 albums and two videos, and host a weekly radio show called “Make Mine Southern.”

THE PARADE is the focal point of the annual celebration.
Floats and walking units tell the story of the Bible in chronological order, starting this year with “Joseph Cast Out,” from Genesis 37:23-24, prepared by Humboldt’s Poplar Grove Baptist Church, and ending with “One Nation Under God,” from Psalms 33:17, by the Bit and Spur Saddle Club, Chanute.
Altogether, 19 floats and three groups of walkers will be involved, along with several banners that draw attention to Bible stories.
“Jonah and the Whale,” entered by the Humboldt Rotary Club, always is a crowd favorite with the whale shooting water from a hole atop its head.
Humboldt Middle and High schools bands will perform in the parade, as will bands from Iola High School, Crest (Colony-Kincaid) Middle and High schools and Eureka High School.
Several features will hold he crowd’s attention during the day.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will have a morning display and Kramer Petting Zoo will be on hand from morning until 4 p.m. Kiwanis train rides, inflatables and face painting will entertain youngsters from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as will pony rides from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Phil Steinmeyer’s ventriloquism and magic show will be on stage in Humboldt’s downtown square from 11:30 a.m. to noon and again from 2:30 to 3 p.m.
The traditional bean feed will start after float award winners are announced at 4:15 p.m.
The evening will be dedicated to the young with a “Biblesta After Dark” youth rally.
Gary Larson, southeast Kansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes director and founder of Team GML Ministries, will share an inspirational message. Olson also will speak. A band, “Christ Church Praise and Worship Experience” from Neodesha, also will have role, as will the Neodesha Fellowship of Christian Athletes skit team.

THE IDEA for Biblesta came to Dr. Arthur Carlson in 1957 during a prayer meeting in Humboldt. His church was planning a revival meeting. While in prayer, Carlson began imagining a parade that would focus people on the Bible.
In late summer 1958, the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce accepted Carlson’s idea for a Bible-themed parade and asked him to be chairman.
A contest was held in 1959 to name the event. Vernon Hawver’s entry won. He came up with the name by putting “Bible” and “fiesta” together.

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