Another historic day

Our family drove to Humboldt on Saturday to attend the Biblesta parade and celebration. It's always held the first Saturday in October and this year marked the fifty-some year  anniversary. As is usually the case, the weather was ideal. The sun was fully out and cast a golden, yes,  heavenly aura on the day; temperatures stayed in the low seventies, just right to wear a pair of jeans, long sleeve shirt and jacket. Meteorologically speaking, we couldn't have asked for a better day (unless of course you like warmer temperatures, or cooler temperatures, or cloudy days, or rain).

For as long as I have attended this event my grandma Bonnie has presided over the west side of 8th street along the parade route, directly across from the town square where the vendors sell food, the beans are cooked, and the entertainment, well, entertains. She's pretty well as dependable as clockwork in this respect and through the years I've expected to find her, or to find any of her three daughters, or their children (except mefor obvious reasons) seated their and keeping room for the rest of us arriving late. You can then imagine how disoriented and confused I became upon arriving at the aforementioned location to find no one I recognized seated there! However, the planets quickly realigned themselves and my faith in humanity was restored when we spied Grandma making her way toward us. Turns out she had some last minute costuming to perform for the actors on the First Baptist Church of Humboldt's float depicting Moses and the burning bush, a float which garnered them the "Best Dramatic" award from the judges.

Speaking of awards, my dad's motorcycle gang (club) the Chariots of Light Motorcycle Club hosted a bike show and dad won the people's choice award and a monetary prize of $500 accompanied by a trophy. He claims he stuffed the ballot box with his own votes. It could be. But it could also be his bike is just that bad a**! The votes cost $1 each and the money went toward a food pantry. Though I don't know where the prize money came from. Incidentally, his handlebar mustache is gone and replaced with a well trimmed goatee, and his pony tail has been replaced with a hair cut a few degrees longer than a flat top.

The big show for Biblesta this year was the inclusion of the Marching Cobras. They are a performance group from out of Kansas City. Several males ranging in age from what appeared to be middle age on down to elementary school vigorously played all manner of drums and a couple dozen young ladies danced in sync to the rhythm. These people were energetic. The rhythms they played were explosive and exciting and the dancing was pretty well executed and precise. They were a crowd favorite.

On a big semi-trailer in the town square a contemporary Christian band performed. These were a group of young men, teen age to early twenties I'd guess playing electric guitars and a trap set. They were popular with the young people and looked like they were able to keep the attention of the old people as well. It was a far cry and a big improvement from the years I remember growing up when the entertainment was aimed at stuffy adults and were primarily state name choirs like The Missourians; The Oklahomans etc. Their look was matching suits and matching hair helmets. This new generation rocked out! I also heard them conduct several heart felt prayers and praise and mentioning the saving grace of Jesus' blood and His resurrection, and giving genuine respect to our veterans and expressing true thankfulness and appreciation for what Biblesta is all about. I was impressed when at the end of their set, the lead guitarist and vocalist removed his electric guitar and handed it down to a young man in the front row, (yes there was a front row, which means by definition there were more than one row standing and having fun) presumably to keep.

Our family had a few bites of our grandma Bonnie's funnel cake, but we didn't indulge in any "fair food" like we usually make it a point to do. Instead, upon arrival to Humboldt we stopped at Moon's grocery and bought some French bread and some good cheese and drinks to sort of have a picnic while we waited for the parade. Mom brought her good dutch oven cooker to fill with beans from the free bean feed and I rode in her truck to steady the container while she drove to her and dad's house for supper around five thirty. I met Damon from Bentonville, Arkansas, a fellow Chariots of Light club member and friend of dad's up for the festivities. He sported a nice racoon look from the sun and wind burn of the three or so hour trip to Kansas. It was his first time to visit Kansas and I hope he'd agree he picked a good destination and time to finally make it. He relocated from New York City to Bentonville and is quite enamored with the small town life.

Dad's cousin Eddie and his wife Brenda were in attendance for the parade and then at mom and dad's for the beans. Eddie fondly recalled his first year attending Biblesta a few years back at dad's invitation when dad was in charge and promptly placed Eddie in the parade driving a gator and  following the horse entries as the ever important, much coveted position of "poop scooper". I tried to put a positive spin on it by renaming it the "road apple harvester" position, but it only improves the looks of the job on paper. Mom pointed out to him how much of an impact it had on him because he clearly remembers it.

The beans were good. They needed salt right away, not after four bowls full. Grandma Irene was there at dad's and she'd brought along some of her chow-chow she'd made, or dad's sister Betty had made. I'm unsure who made it, but it is really good on ham and beans. I'd brought along some spicy peppers to mince and add to the beans. Mom had made corn bread. Ross came out and ate with us also. It was good talking to him. He had an auction to run the next day so we were asking him all about that business. I don't know why, but auctioneering has proven to be quite the conversation, never failing to pique our interest.

We all had some laughs and enjoyed a good day. The boys had a great time. No matter what your beliefs are, it is still quite moving to attend a celebration which takes full advantage of the right to free speech. Not only that, it's a celebration which focuses on the Christian heritage of our great nation. Lastly, it's an opportunity to take in a celebration which is centered around an undisputed literary classic. It's small town at its best. It's people at their best. It's Humboldt at its best, and I hope it continues true to its mission for many more generations to come.