Larry Barnett will have time next Saturday to enjoy Humboldts Biblesta, the 61st.
For more than 20 years he served on its steering committee, whose members spend 10 months prior putting together all the nuts and bolts mostly fundraising for the hallmark Christian festival. He was chairman 10 years.
While out of the planning loop, Barnett, whose nature is to be hands-on, wont entirely relegate himself to a shady spot.
He is a member of Humboldt Lions, who have Bibles-ta responsibilities. They have a popular concession, selling a hybrid form of curly fried potatoes that come golden brown from sizzling grease. Often there is a line of buyers awaiting the next batch.
Barnett also will be up early to help get 1,000 pounds of beans, seasoned by 500 pounds of ham hocks, simmering in 20 or so large iron pots. The soup will be ready by 11 a.m., although the feed doesnt come off until late afternoon. Barnett is quick to note: The beans have to be stirred every little bit, to make sure those lying at the bottom dont burn and taint the brew.
Barnett had his first taste of Biblesta in high school when the Future Farmers of America chapter had parade floats. They strung chicken wire, stuffed rolled-up newspaper and colored their creations with spray paint.
Years later, in the early 1990s, Barnett always willing to lend a helping hand responded when Humboldt churches were asked to provide members for the Bibles-ta Committee. He quickly learned the cost of putting on an event of such magnitude, with entertainment taking a large share of funding.
He recalls the Missourians giving Biblesta a boost, not only by performing for what today is a pittance, $1,000, but also advertising the event on their website.
Barnett grimaces when telling about a high-profile singer who came in a fancy bus and parked near a two-tiered stage he had built. Musicians who fronted the singer performed in light rain. She dashed out for two songs, then skedaddled a one-time anomaly.
In all its years of being on the first Saturday of October, Biblesta has been postponed once. In 1986, flooding pushed it to the second Saturday. Floodwater cut off access to Humboldt from three directions and left several floats stranded west of town.
HARD WORK comes naturally for Barnett, 72.
He is the third of four sons who grew up on a farm east of Humboldt. Barnett intended a career in accounting after graduating from Pitts-burg State, but the thought of being trapped in a small cubicle mulling over numbers was intimidating. Instead, he signed on with an implement dealer, and then dove into construction. His skill is evident in a nice home where he and wife Carolyn live.
Barnett was Iola Highs building trades instructor for 33 years, starting in 1975. His students constructed 32 homes. A street in Gas along which several were built was named Barney Lane in his honor by the city council.
Retired, but not idle, Barnetts love of working with kids has led him to help gratis with Humboldt Highs building trades program.
NEXT SATURDAYS Biblesta has four afternoon musical performances, including the Missourians. The parade starts at 1:30.
