Large crowd enjoys annual Piggott picnic

Katy Strickland of Piggott (center) was crowned Miss Piggott 2009 at the annual picnic Saturday evening, she's the daughter of Shawn and Lori Parker and Scott and Amy Strickland. First alternate was Alexa Grissom (second from left), second alternate was Ashley Williams (second from right), third alternate was Emma Kathryn Jumper (left) and fourth alternate was Chelsea Covarrubia (right).
(Times photo/Tim Blair)

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The event, which is held each year to benefit the Piggott Cemetery Association, benefited from mild weather and the fact that the holiday fell on a Saturday this year. As a result, thousands of people found their way to Piggott for the holiday, and the picnic grounds remained active all day despite a late afternoon shower.

At day's end Katy Strickland was crowned Miss Piggott, three different individuals won $5,000 each and the fireworks display marked the end of another Independence Day holiday. Early totals indicated that the response to the new cash drawing was good, as association members made the decision this year to give away the three $5,000 prizes as opposed to a new pickup.

Activities at the picnic grounds, and Independence Park, got underway Friday evening with baseball games, a hot dog eating contest and the first of the various pageants.

Winner of the hot dog eating contest, which was sponsored by the Piggott Parks and Recreation Department, was defending champ Andy Parrish of Piggott. He beat out last year's second place finisher Michael Price, also of Piggott, and Matt Umfress of Campbell to take the $100 prize.

Also Friday evening Madison VanderKooi of Piggott claimed the title of Young Junior Miss, while Rachel Lampkin of Rector was crowned Young Miss Piggott in the late pageant. A complete rundown of all the pageant winners, and pageant photos, may be found elsewhere in this issue.

Unseasonably cool conditions greeted the parade crowd Saturday morning, as longtime Cemetery Association president Royce Williams served as the Grand Marshall. Williams led what turned out to be a rather long parade line-up to the picnic grounds, with such dignitaries as Gov. Mike Beebe, Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Congressman Marion Berry and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel taking part in the event.

First place in the float competition went to the First Baptist Church of Piggott, second went to First General Baptist Church of Piggott and third was awarded to the Oasis Church float from St. Francis.

Later at the picnic grounds, Piggott Mayor Gerald Morris offered the welcoming address, the PHS Marching Mohawk band performed the National Anthem and the variety of politicians and candidates were introduced by C. W. Knauts and State Rep. Mike Patterson.

The schedule also included a variety of live entertainment, and the usual pageants and contests, as the large crowd enjoyed low humidity and a steady breeze. The only break came about 4:30 p.m. as a line of showers moved through the area, serving to provide cooler weather for the evening and knock down the dust.

Following the Miss Piggott pageant that evening, and the fireworks display, the three $5,000 drawings were held with Peyton Mann of Piggott handling the drawing chores. He drew the names of Mike Pratt, a Piggott-area resident who has been working and living in Las Vegas; Heath Haywood of Piggott and Teresa LaRocque of High Ridge, Mo.