HAWKTALK: Courthouse Capers from the RCHE
By John Hawkins, Perry, MO : : Posted Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Hard to believe it's been a year, actually over a year, since Sir Ronald gathered together his merry band and began organizing the Court House Sesquicentennial. Well, we're almost there (organized, I mean). The Sesquicentennial IS here. By this time next week, the mess will be tidied-up, nerves will be in recovery, and we'll all be getting ready to go to St. Paul's for ice cream. But now it's time for fun. As I've mentioned before, the only thing that's not FREE is lunch. All rides, exhibits, parking, shuttle and entertainment is FREE.    Ruth Roy Wright Park will open at 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 25, with kids' entertainment and continue through the evening of July 26. Kid-friendly National Guard inflatables from the 2175 th Military Police Unit in Hannibal will be ready, too. There will be a bouncing booth furnished by the Baptist Church. There will be inflatable battery-powered bumper boats donated by Brookstone Inc. of Mexico in a pool furnished by Sutherland's of Hannibal. Of course, any kid is going to want to get wet on a July afternoon. Be sure to bring camera and lawn chairs as the kids join with cowboy re-enactors at the Chuck Wagon or pet the oxen, or try to ride a high-wheeled bicycle. If you're getting hungry, vintage vittles will be served. And what would a cowboy campfire be without cowboy music? At 6:00 p.m. many of the participants in the United Way Talent Show will present their show numbers. Grownups can watch the blacksmith while the kids ride the train furnished by Huber Corp. of Quincy and powered by Meyer Implement Co. Then we can all go home and rest up for Saturday.

Early-comers breakfast will be available at 4-Quarters "Vintage Vittles" in the Ruth Roy Wright Park. Craft booths will come to life and the parade starts at 10:00 a.m. There are many parade entries so bring your lawn chair and hang on to it for free concerts starting at 4:30 p.m. on the Court House lawn.

The Veterans Day room will operate in the Baptist Church Teen Center east of the Court House. Air-conditioned seating for veterans of all eras will be provided, and stories exchanged. Diane Hellhake of the local Corps of Engineers will have exhibits, and a small art show will share the space. At 1:00 p.m. the Mark Twain High School Jazz Band will perform in the Ruth Roy Wright Park and an acoustic open jam session will be on-going in the park from noon until ???? No free lunch, but a lot of fun. See you there.