The Holden Image

It’s time to gear up for Holden’s most popular century-long tradition, the Holden Fall Fiesta. Sponsored by the Holden Chamber of Commerce, the three-day event is welcomed every year by young and old alike.

The theme of this year’s fair is “One Hundred Fairs and a Century of Memories.” According to chamber president Jenny Sollars, the Holden Fall Fiesta 2004 represents one hundred years of successful efforts in the community to create great memories of friendship, entertainment, food and fun.

The Holden Fall Fiesta Grand Marshall for 2004 is Marion Robey. To most people in the community, she is known as Mrs. Robey. Having taught in the Holden School District for a number of years, there are few people in the community who have not learned something from her.

Robey and her husband, William, have made their home in Holden since 1975. They’ve raised two children here, John and Kate. Robey states that a big part of her history is the years she has spent in the Holden community. Robey said “It is in this community that I have found and enjoyed every day a large share of the spirit that makes our country great... A great sense of community shared by individuals or groups with churches, joining together in respect and tolerance to meet the needs of people.”

The Holden Fall Fiesta continues to offer the traditional events citizens of Holden have come to anticipate, as well as the addition of a fiddle contest, a kids’ pedal tractor pull and an auction.

The fair will begin Thursday evening, September 30 at 5pm, with area talent, Anna Herod performing the National Anthem at the grandstand, which will be located on Market Street, adjacent to Farmers and Commercial Bank.

The Country Pride Band, which includes Herod, along with David Taylor, Doug Elsloo, Ron Stewart, Mike Keith and Norman Mauldin, will then perform until 6:30 p.m. Their performance is sure to provide a mix of classic and modern country for all to enjoy.

Onlookers will then have the opportunity to enjoy the traditional Fall Fiesta Queen Contest. The contest will be held at the grandstand, and will begin with the crowning of the wee queen and king, followed by the pre-teen and junior-queen contests. The Fall Fiesta Queen will be crowned as a finale to these contests.

An auction to benefit local teen, Melissa Davis, who was tragically injured in an accident several months ago, will be held at the grandstand at 9 p.m.

Volleyball jerseys and volleyballs autographed by the Holden High School State Champion Team of 2003, will be auctioned off, along with several other items.

Friday night’s activities will kickoff with a performance from the Dazzling Dancers from 4-5 p.m. at the grandstand. The National Anthem will again be performed by Herod. Onlookers will then have the opportunity to enjoy a performance from the All American Girls at the grandstand. The band, made up of several youngsters from the Lone Jack area, plays a variety of music, including country, classic rock, 50’s and ballads. They are part of the Berry Family of Lone Jack who historically performed in vaudeville acts, roller skating routines and later in the music business.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m., a square dance will be held with the Holden On’s Square Dance Club. All square dancers are welcome and the dance will be called by Bill Reynolds.

The tradition of the Holden Fall Fiesta Talent Show will continue this year, with the show being held at the community activity center on Market Street.

The show will begin at 8p.m. and will include contestants in four categories: 9 years and under, 10-14 years, 15-18 years and 19 years and older. In the past, the Holden Fall Fiesta Talent Show has been a showcase of local talent ranging from singers to dancers to poets.

Beginning at 8:30 p.m. at the grandstand, the Clinton-based Christian Rock band Empty Tomb will entertain. The band is said to have a sound that varies from classic to modern-day rock. Reportedly, band members are known to crack jokes and wear silly hats from time to time, making the performance of Empty Tomb a fun and pleasurable experience for all who take it in.

Historically, Saturday is the day when the fair is its busiest. Out-of-towners looking for entertainment, as well as Holden alumni looking to catch up with friends and family, flock to the Holden Fall Fiesta in swarms.

This year promises to be no different, with a Saturday entertainment lineup that includes something for everyone.

The festivities will begin at 7a.m. on Saturday, October 2, with a 5K run. The run invites any and all who wish to participate in an enjoyable 3.1 mile run/walk. The race will begin at the Hallar Memorial Building. Awards will be given to first, second and third place finishers in eight age divisions, both male and female.

The event was spear-headed this year by Sam McCloud, along with family and friends who desired a tribute to his wife, Michelle McCloud, who passed away this year after a long battle with cancer. Michelle had chaired the 5k run the past several years, even working diligently on the project while taking exhausting treatments for the cancer she eventually succumbed to. A memorial tribute will be held in honor of Michelle just prior to the race.

The traditional baby contest will be held at the grandstand at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in eight age categories, both male and female, as well as an award for the youngest baby.

A car show will be held at the city park at 11a.m. The show will include cars from several divisions, including modified, original, street rods, motor cycles, muscle cars, trucks and cars under construction. All entrants will be granted free entry into the street parade to be held later in the evening. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place in all classes.

Childrens’ races will begin at noon at the grandstand. There will be a first, second and third place prize in each division, which includes Big Wheels, tricycles, bicycles, turtles and diaper derby. There will be several age divisions in all categories except the turtle race and the diaper derby.

Carla Van Hoose will perform at 1 p.m. at the grandstand. Carla hails from Lexington, Kentucky, and this will be her third year making the long trip to perform at the Holden Fall Fiesta.

Van Hoose’s musical repertoire dips into many shades of American music. Folk, Blues and Rock and Roll are just a few of her stylings. Old Times and Memories, her debut CD, has been heard on radios in Kentucky, California, Connecticut, Missouri, West Virginia, parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington.

An event new to the fair this year is the kids’ pedal tractor pull, which is to be held at the Holden Library at 1 p.m. Boys and girls ages 4-12 are invited to participate in this exciting new contest. Pedal tractors will need to be furnished by the entrants. A first place trophy will be awarded in each class and ribbons for second and third place. Boys will be competing against boys their own age, and girls will compete against girls their own age.

The dog show, a community favorite for a number of years, will take place at 2 p.m. at the grandstand. Prizes will be awarded to first and second place in each of the following categories: smallest dog over 18 months old, largest dog, fattest dog, cutest dog, owner/pet look alike, best trick and fastest tail wagger. One dog, overall will also be awarded judges’ favorite of show.

Local dancers from Footlights Academy, under the direction of Lori Kaiser, will perform for the crowd at the grandstand from 3-3:45 p.m.

Local musician, Don Henson will dazzle the crowd with his gospel music stylings at the grandstand from 4-5 p.m. Henson has been a favorite of the Holden Fall Fiesta crowd for a number of years.

The National Anthem will be performed by Herod at the grandstand, and the street parade will begin at 5 p.m. at the high school. It is expected the parade will reach the downtown area around 5:30 p.m. An auction will immediately follow the parade at the grandstand.

A welcome addition to the Holden Fall Fiesta is the old time fiddle contest. It will begin at 7 p.m. at the Community Activity Center, with registration beginning at 6. Over $600 in cash prizes will be awarded in three categories.

Jim King and the Texas Connection Band will perform at the grandstand at 7:30 p.m. This band is a group of very talented musicians and singers, who provide a varied range of music styles, specializing in Texas Swing and classic country, as well as newer hits. They also play unique versions of standards from the “Big Band Era” of the 30’s and 40’s.

Jim King and the Texas Connection Band will be arriving in a Silver Eagle bus they’ve restored, which once belonged to the great Porter Wagnor.

As always, there will be contests for 4-H, agriculture, home economics, art show displays and flower show displays. These items may be viewed at the Community Activity Center throughout the fair.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor