Let the festival begin.
Charles Davidson was recognized as the Missouri Day Parade Grand Marshal during Thursday night’s opening ceremonies.
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Members of Gold Rush performed during Thursday night’s Missouri Day opening ceremonies.
A crowd of around 315 attended the eat-what-you-want, pay-what-you want soup supper, sponsored by the Trenton Area Ministerial Alliance. Funds raised will go toward the TAMA Good Samaritan Fund to support those in need.
Opening ceremonies kicked off with the presentation of the colors by Boy Scout Troops 99 and 97 and “The National Anthem,” performed by Elizabeth Gibson. Pastor Joshua Gottman of the First Baptist Church gave the invocation.
Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Carman gave the welcome, introducing speaker Buddy Hannaford, who gave a brief history of the Trenton Marching Band Festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The event began with 18 bands the first year and had its highest number, 68, in 2015. There are 58 bands set to perform in various competitions this year.
Parade Chairman Steve Taylor of the Trenton Rotary Club recognized the grand marshal, Charles Davidson, who will lead Saturday’s parade. Davidson served in the U.S. Army during World War II and is a long-time member of the Joseph L. Norton VFW Post No. 919 of Trenton.
Winners of the various decorating and coloring contests were announced and include:
Window Decorating
1. Oak Leaf Achievers 4-H Club (PAR Broadcasting at 804 Main St.), 2. Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri at 1801 E. 28th St., 3. Preceptor Nu (Citizens Bank and Trust at Ninth and Main streets). Other entries included Lockridge, Constant and Conrad at 801 Main St. and Busy Bees 4-H Club (Homeland Realty at 815 Main St.).
Yard Decorating
Residential – 1. Lannie Harkins at 300 W. Crowder Road, 2. Jim and Bonita Price at 808 W. 11th St..
Business – 1. Eastview Manor Care Center at 1622 E. 28th St., 2. Sunnyview Nursing Home at 1311 E. 28th St.
Scarecrow Decorating
Individual/Family – 1. Barb Hawkins, 2. Sierra and Hanna Bruse, 3. Elizabeth Eller.
Business/Organization – 1. Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments Residents, 2. Citizens Bank and Trust, 3. Girl Scout Brownie Troop 1125.
Coloring Contest
Preschool – 1. Sydney Blackburn of Trenton R-9; 2. Megan Lowrey of Laredo R-7; 3. Avery Gamet of Trenton R-9.
Kindergarten – 1. Kennedy Cross, 2. Logan Harris and 3. Alexis Brundage, all of Rissler Elementary School.
First Grade – 1. Renee Williams, 2. Lilliahana Sosa and 3. Bailey Williams, all of Rissler Elementary School.
Second Grade – 1. Lucy Price, 2. Henry Link and 3. Sarai Birkhead, all of Rissler Elementary School.
Third Grade – 1. Brock Borders, 2. Kambrea Brown and 3. Ivan Michael (Schmidt), all of Rissler Elementary School.
Fourth Grade – 1. Mirena King of Rissler Elementary School; 2. Kenzie Lynch of Laredo R-7; 3. Asher Wilson of Spickard R-2.
Sunnyview Nursing Home – 1. Linda McNabb, 2. Dickie Ruegsegger, 3. Gene Stuart.
Eastview Manor – 1. Lawrence Rex Jr., 2. Donna Kieffer, 3. Mary Ann Adams-Gillis.
The evening ended with a performance by the Trenton High School Gold Rush Choir, under the direction of Tyler Busick. The group sang four songs, all related to travel, which is the theme of this year’s choir concert series.
The festival gets under way today with vendors being open for business until 8 o’clock tonight. They will also be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The rest of tonight’s schedule includes a talent show from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Rock Barn Pavillion and a dance at the North 65 Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
Saturday kicks off with the parade at 8:30 a.m. and a whole day’s worth of field, auxiliary and drumline competition at C.F. Russell Stadium and Trenton High School.
On Sunday, the Trenton Elks Lodge No. 801 will hold a car show in the downtown area, beginning at 9 a.m. The Mic-O-Say Dancers will perform at 1 p.m. on the west walkway near the NCM Fairgrounds.
Events taking place throughout the weekend include the Scrappy Quilters Guild Quilt Show, which will be held in the former Mr. Movies building at the Eastgate Shopping Center, from 5 to 8 tonight, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday; and the atlatl tournament on the west side of the fairgrounds, 5 to 8 tonight, Saturday morning and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The Grundy County Museum will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.