RBC | This year’s event was one of the best and busiest: with full grandstands for the rodeos, a record-breaking number of sign-ups for the Run for Your Life 5K race, a successful 40 entries in the parade, a huge turnout at the OHV Poker Run, and early count estimates putting more than 2,000 people at the country concert on Saturday.
The parade had 40 entries this year, with a variety of clubs, businesses, vintage cars and more represented on horses, OHVs, walkers, bikers, and trucks. The announcer was Trina Zagar Brown, judges were Margie Joy and Lori Schneider. Gracee Gardner sang the anthem, and the Meeker Hotel allowed for the use of the balcony.
Parade winners are:
Best of Show—Wagon Wheel OHV Club
Most Creative—Bureau of Land Management White River Field Office
Judges Choice—Arrow Busters
People’s Choice—Western Exposures Realty
Best Car—1930 Model A Ford Tudor Sedan, by Steven Brickey
Photos can be viewed online here: https://meekerchamber.com/july-4th-downtown-events/
A record-breaking 325 runners and walkers took to the streets to kick off the Fourth of July during ERBM’s annual Run For Your Life 5K. Congratulations to the top finishers!
The Watermelon Eating Contest had a record number of sign-ups, until they ran out of watermelons. Surrounded by a crowd of hundreds of onlookers, two rounds of 6 to 13-year-olds, one of 14 to 17-year-olds, and one round of adults faced off to see who could eat their watermelon the fastest. The winners were:
6-13: Miles Franklin at 57 seconds
14-17: Steven Burton at 1 minute 18 seconds
Adults: Darius Sitzman at 1 minute 28 seconds
The Wagon Wheel OHV Club hosted their annual Poker Run Fundraiser and held an OHV Rodeo. Participation numbers were not available as of press time, but they had a great turn out and 18 entries at the ATV Rodeo.
EMILY MOHR Photos
What says summer more than a table full of watermelon and teens and adults competing to eat it without using their hands? This year’s event was wildly popular, with potential competitors having to be turned away when organizers ran out of watermelon, which had been provided by Ute Lodge.
EMILY MOHR / NIKI TURNER Photos
(Above left) The Clay Walker concert on Saturday was well attended with ideal weather conditions and Meeker’s amphitheater sound effects. (Above center) The Meeker High School Class of 1984 combined Range Call and the 4th of July with their 40th Class Reunion, riding in the parade and enjoying ‘80s cover tunes by the Six Million Dollar Band on Friday at the Fairgrounds. (Above right) The historic stagecoach from the White River Museum, pulled by Anton Family horses from Craig made the parade route once again, carrying this year’s Parade Marshal Christy Atwood. (Bottom) The Color Guard from the Meeker VFW Post and Ladies’ Auxiliary led the parade off to a patriotic start.
