Let the games begin
Children, parents and grandparents came from miles around to participate in the pageantry and games of Orland's 35th annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration on Sunday at Vinsonhaler Park.
After hot dogs, homemade pies and ice cream eaten, and after all the introductions and speeches were finished, folks settled in to watch or participate in a variety of competitions that make the Orland celebration special and unique.
The fun got started with the annual Parade of Cars.
Owners proudly drove past the stage in their antique Model As, Model Ts, and other vintage vehicle dating as far back as the 1930s.
Among them was a 1943 Willie's Jeep and a restored World War II-era Army vehicle and trailer. Among the newer cars were a 1968 Dodge Charger and a '74 Fiat Spider. Also rolling past the grandstand were a Thunderbird, a Chevy SS El Camino and many others.
After the town band played John Philip Sousa's national march — "Stars and Stripes Forever" — and the Orland High School fight song, the junior and adult division decorated-hat parades strolled before the judges.
Winners in the junior division were Jasmine Hays, 3, with Ciara Fleming, 5, coming in second.
Christy Stevenson took first place in the adult division for the second year in a row. Second place went to Candy Holt and third place was Orland stalwart Kay Larsen.
Next up were the decorated pets. Juliana Meza, 9, had the only junior entry. For the older crowd, Linda Trimble's Sadianne, a 5-month-old English massive, took first place.
In the decorated bike contest, Hailey Lindell, 5, took home the top prize and Matthew Wyser, 2, came in second.
With the pageantry complete, the races began. First up was the foot race for children 6 years old and younger. They took off at the staring line and ran their hearts out. The best part was everyone who participated got a prize.
Three gunnysack races saw folks ages 7-10, 11-14, 15-18 and 19 and older hop across the grass — all the time trying not to fall down.
So many adults wanted to participate, the race had to be split into to segments followed by a run-off of the top four in each group.
Joining the second group were the most well-versed in the art of gunnysack racing — Nancy and Ben Kraemer. In a twist, when the line of racers took off, Nancy Kraemer fooled every one by starting to hop forward then quickly turning around and hopping back to her spot on the lawn.
Ben Kraemer made it nearly to the finish line before falling down, though he got up and completed the race with a big smile on his face.
Eggs and frogs
The egg toss included people of all ages. Family and friends stood across from each other throwing and trying to catch raw eggs without them breaking.
"Those are some tough eggs," Saint-Evens said as several landed on the ground without breaking.
The biggest laugh came when a husband's throw landed his egg smack down the top of his wife's dress.
The last event of the day began with Louie Barletta auctioning off frogs for the frog jumping contest.
Trish Saint-Evans and her daughter Emily spent Saturday night catching frogs for the big event. Eleven frogs were captured in ponds owned by Diana Domingo and Paul Hayrend.
At the end of the day, all 11 were returned to their homes.
The first frog brought in the biggest bid, $55. A majority proffered somewhere in the $40 range, though one went for as little $10.
Before each bid, Glenn County Fair Queen Staci Bettencourt and helper Becky Pendergrass reached into a tub and pulled out a frog. Bettencourt held each one up for bidders to see.
Once all the frogs were "sold," the jumping contest began.
Master of Ceremonies Angus Saint-Evans explained the final measurement would be made based on three jumps.
Though some competitors were more reluctant than others, one hopped 11 feet 1 inch. "Jeffrey" — as purchaser Arainna Jefferson, 13, named her temporary amphibian friend — leaped 10 inches farther than the next closest frog.
Jefferson was handed $100 for her frog's effort. But, she immediately told organizers she wanted to give half of it back as a donation.
Second place went to "Eclipse" for a total of 9 feet 3 inches and Jordan Hillsted took home $75.
Coming in third was "Tarzan," owned by Braydin Schumann, 7. The 9-foot-1-inch jumper landed $50 in its owner's hands.
When everything was said and done, Schumann, who participated in every event he could, said "my favorite part was beating my 17-year-old brother" in the egg toss — "and the queen," he quickly added.
Elija Snow, 6, said his favorite part was coming first place in the children's foots race; but he liked the snow cones too.
"I had a good time," he said.
Adults had a good time as well. Terry Brinson said the best part was "relaxation" and "people watching."
Judy Brinson added, "it's been fun" and noted she especially enjoyed the enthusiasm and patriotism.
Among the generations of Orlanders who enjoyed the day, Anna Barletta said the meaning and fun of the day has changed.
She said she and her husband, frog auctioneer Louie Barletta, started bringing their children to the Orland Fourth of July Celebration when it began in 1976. And, they have attended every since.
"But now we've got the grandkids," she said with big, grandmotherly smile.
They and many others will be back next year.
Contact Lydia Harris at 934-6800, 865-3110 or lharris@tcnpress.com.
