Labor Day Picnic continues to impress

With temperatures lingering in the sixties, one of the largest crowds ever lined Rector's Main Street and Highway 49 Monday morning for a long and colorful parade which featured beautiful floats, a number of state and local officials and candidates for various offices, the RHS marching band, beauty queens and much more. The parade was the start of a full day of activities which continued at Rector Memorial Park.
(Democrat photo/Ashley Kemp Wimberley)

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"It's safe to call the 2010 Labor Day Picnic a success," event co-chair Mark Manchester said. "The crowds were spectacular. We had pretty big crowds throughout the day, without much of a decline in the late afternoon. It's simply amazing the way everyone comes out."

Everyone was treated to four amazing days, as temperatures were lower than usual, providing a welcome break from what has been a hot, dry summer. With such outstanding conditions, crowds were able to gather longer and celebrate together without having to worry about being exposed to poor climates.

"The weather was phenomenal," co-chair Nate Henderson said. "I can't remember a Labor Day being as nice. The weather was ideal for something like this. I definitely think it helped everything go as well as it did."

Even with the continued economic uncertainty, the picnic was again a huge success, generating gross revenues of over $75,000, topping last year's total by at least $2,000. All proceeds of the Labor Day Picnic go toward the maintenance of beautiful Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector.

"The Labor Day Picnic has a statewide reputation," Manchester said. "It not only attracts people who have ties to Rector, but also those who just like to come out and share in our community's celebration."

Crowds gathered along Main Street and Highway 49 Monday morning to watch the annual parade. The colorful caravan included several beautiful floats, the Rector High School Marching Band, beauty queens, a large number of stunning antique cars, prize-worthy horses, restored classic tractors and much more.

Mayor Ron Kemp served as Grand Marshal, leading the parade while accompanied by his wife, Nancy, and granddaughters Anna, Maggie and Claire.

At the conclusion of the parade, the RHS Band played at Rector Memorial Park, as new director Daniel Van Aalsburg and his students greeted the gathering crowd.

After welcoming remarks by Mayor Kemp, several political leaders and political candidates spoke briefly onstage at the park. Congressman Marion Berry, a big Rector supporter who is always a part of the Labor Day celebration, was presented a special plaque commemorating his years of service. Berry had previously announced his decision to not seek re-election.

Also speaking briefly were U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, State Senator Robert Thompson, State Representative Mike Patterson, Clay County Judge Gary Howell, Land Commissioner candidates L.J. Bryant and John Thurston, U.S. Congress candidates Chad Causey and Rick Crawford, Lieutenant Governor candidates Mark Darr and Shane Broadway, candidate for Governor Jim Keet, Prosecuting Attorney candidate Scott Ellington and Supreme Court candidate Judge Tim Fox.

Rector Mayoral candidates Kenny Burns and David Freeman also took the stage.

Hughey and Mary Linam were named as the Oldest Man and Woman Present for the picnic. Hughey, at 96, and Mary, at 97, also were recognized as the Couple Married the Longest with 72 years together.

Pageants early in the day featured a bevy of beautiful babies and toddlers. Delicious barbecue and hamburgers are always a picnic favorite, with many in attendance briefly forgoing their typical diets to enjoy the traditional treats, which included a variety of sweets like funnel cakes, fried Oreos and caramel apples.

The Rector Community Center kitchen was packed for a fabulous meal of home-cooked foods provided by hard working volunteers and other community members who make food donations.

Patsy Speer of Healy, Alaska, was awarded the prize as the Person Traveling the Farthest to be a part of the 2010 Labor Day Picnic. Speer, who has attended the event for several years, grew up in the area and stays locally with family while in town for the celebration

Ashley Williams, daughter of Wade and Candy Williams, was crowned as Miss Rector 2010 in a pageant featuring several local beauties.

The evening concluded with a $1,000 drawing, won by Louise McCord of O'Fallon, Mo. A silent auction was held for two custom Labor Day chairs provided by Wise Company. Cary Clayton and George Mitchell were the winning bidders on the unique, high quality chairs.

A big rodeo sponsored by the Rector Saddle Club kicked off the four days of fun on Friday and Saturday nights, attracting several spectators and participants.

There was a huge crowd for the Rector High School Sports Hall of Fame luncheon Saturday, which featured the induction of the school's state runners-up 1965 basketball team, basketball great Donald Ray Pruett and the late Ethridge "Bokum" McKeel, who stood out as both a basketball player and coach.

Early pageants and armband discounts for carnival rides brought a large crowd to the park Sunday afternoon.

The annual RHS alumni gathering Sunday at the Community Center offered a time for laughter and visiting with friends and family members. The event also included a benefit auction which raised over $8,000 for the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation and its work in assisting disadvantaged Rector students.

A beautiful painting, "Train Stationh - Cotton Belt," by Rector native Paul Frets of Radford, Va., was purchased by Rector native Andrea (Bucy) Conner of Newport for $3,250. Lively and competitive bidding for several other items provided lots of fun, with Rector native Terry Robinson of Corning serving as auctioneer and Rector native Ted Glaub of Jonesboro working as ringman.