The first stage of the upcoming Farm-City Days celebration was a nod to Iola history.
The team of Jason Bauer and Brett Lisher was the first to find a hidden medallion, tucked away on a merry-go-round at Iola’s Riverside Park Friday.
In so doing, Bauer and Lisher will share the $1,000 grand prize, capping a hunt that had scores of lookers poring over the entirety Allen County.
Farm-City Days Committee member and cluemaster Aaron Franklin explained his colorful clues, and the thought process in hiding the medallion this year.
“My initial goal was to find a way to incorporate the Great American Frontier era into the clues” with a nod to local history based on a touch of literary, cinematic and Oregon Trail references, Franklin said in a Facebook post.
Alas, his ultimate goal — to celebrate famed Iola horse jockey Johnny Adams — came up short because the medallion was found before those clues surfaced.
“Through the process of writing, it felt like too early of a reference to Johnny Adams would be a dead giveaway, so I had saved him for Sunday’s clue,” Franklin said.
He intentionally waited to provide the best clues for the weekend so searchers who work during the week would have a chance at finding the medallion.
Johnny Adams, the Mighty Mite, got his start racing horses in Iola in the early years of the 20th century, before becoming one of the most prolific jockeys of that era.
As an aside, Franklin is retiring as cluemaster and committee member after nine years.
Those interested in picking up the baton are encouraged to reach out to a current FCD Committee member to learn more about becoming involved in future celebrations.
“It’s been fun being a part of it the last nine years, but every cowboy must have his last ride,” Franklin said.
THE FUN hits high gear Thursday with the opening of Fun Time Shows Carnival on Jackson Avenue in downtown Iola. The carnival will remain in place through Saturday.
Friday’s fun revolves around a chuckwagon community dinner sponsored by Allen County and featuring the Mildred Store band, from 5 to 7 p.m. A street dance follows from 7 to 9 o’clock.
The car and motorcycle show open at Saturday’s jam-packed schedule at 9 a.m., along with “ag central” displays. A petting zoo starts at 10 o’clock, with scores of vendor booths open to appeal to folks of all ages. Local performers from In Step Dance Academy (at 8:45 a.m.), the Kleopfer Family (at 9:15) and Miss Chelsea’s Dance Academy 10:15) will grace the Jefferson Avenue Stage as well.
The parade, featuring a Wild West theme, starts at 11 o’clock. Immediately afterward, audiences will be treated to performances by the Marching Cobras drummers and the Celtic Pipe Band.
