Event Coverage PF does the Russell, KS Prairiesta parade---small town Americana at it's best

It's been a good weekend for the Poverty Flats crew. It all got started early Saturday morning as me and my long time side kick "Cuzzin Deke" headed west for the hour and a half drive to Russell, KS for a big event that they only hold every 10 years. This small but mighty county seat town has a beautiul downtown coutrhouse square with brick streets and well kept buildings and homes. The surrounding countryside has kind of a high plains windy feel to it with wheat fields and oil production. I would say it exemplifies how America can build new wealth from the ground up. Also the hometown of 2 former US Senators---Bob Dole and Arlen Spector who were both in attendance even though they seem somewhat frail and elderly now. Of significance to me-----this is the town where I first bought my wheel standing clown car now known as the PF Limo about 6 years ago while in town to buy a Model A sedan. A local man chased me down seeing the car on my trailer and asked if I wanted to buy another Model A. "Hell yes" I said and followed him to a storage building where I was lucky enough to buy not one but two cars that were both formerly owned and used in parades such as this one by the local American Legion. The cars were retired and just waiting for me like it was destiny. I was invited to bring the car back and it was well recieved by the crowds and remembered by all who had not seen it since the LAST festival 10 years ago. You can read more Prairiesta info here on their site:
http://www.prairiesta.com/

 

They had us wait in the parade staging area at the high school parking lot in the morning. Then we lined up and waited our turn. The parade was 2 hours long so we had time to socialize and take photos. Everyone was friendly and they were big on period correct clothing. I wish you could have seen the AMAZING cattle drive with 100 real Texas longhorns being driven by horseback thru the town and thru the sea of people downtown. Well behaved and just a thing of beauty. I was not close enough to photograph them or make a video but really loved this part of the show.

 

I'm guessing you have a ball out there in KS!!

 

I was gonna go but we had drunkfest, excuse me Riverfest in Ellis. We did some anvil shootin, extreme motorcycle jumping, duck racing(won $50 bucks but gave it back to the cheerleaders) eating and drinking.

Was there a nice 47 Willys jeep there?

 

Some random photos from the early morning staging area:

 

yes in fact it was the nicest Willys Jeep I have ever seen. Did you restore it? That would make sense....

 

My lead restoration tech Alan did here at the shop. I didn't work on it.

 

Did you get a pic of the guys in the biggest beard contest? Too funny.

 

more shots here and in case you were wondering the town had a beard contest for the men who were fined for NOT having a beard. ha ha

 

Hey PT, Was our good buddy BOB DOLE there . You know he "WAS" from Russell, ks.
"AND THE BOWTIE ROLLS ON"

 

More photos including the winner of the annual Abe Lincoln look alike contest from Lincoln County , KS event.

 

Yes, he was there at age 88 and had been hospitalized for more than a year I think. He was in good spirits too.

 

more

 

cars

 

more cars I liked

 

even more

 

Loved this 61 Ford hardtop and he had "before" photos of it sitting in a pasture (field) when he bought it.

 

A couple of local beauties of which there were many....

 

Looks like a good time. With so many people and entries in the parade did they have enough spectators left to fill the sidewalks?

 

and speaking of beauties, there was a queen contest

 

more vehicles and yes that is a rare and coveted 302 in the GMC !

 

How about an original unrestored 39 Packard from nearby Natoma, KS? Talk about "going out in style"....

 

Or perhaps a restored and rodded Pontiac ambulance would be more your style?

 

Of course there were clowns...

 

and my favorite clown "Cuzzindeke" from the Hamb who never misses the chance to kiss pretty girls at parades....

 

I hope someone got a shot of the limo havin' fun in the parade ...

**EDIT** - ya got me as I was typing , lol !!
Looks like fun !

 

biggest clown of all was me....

 

A real joy for me was this Will Rogers impersonator Ernie Masden. He was perfect with story telling, rope tricks and quick jokes. He is available for hire at your event. PM me if interested. I even made a you tube video of him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTFstvhTTVE

 

I took a few photos en route during the parade from the driver's seat.

 

My pal Ron who lives in this town was on his cool bike....