McDonald County Press
All the work for Jesse James Days, which started in March by looking for a vehicle to raffle, paid off over the weekend with a successful community event.
"This year, the heat and threat of rain had us worried on Wednesday and Thursday nights -- both nights were a little lower than the last years," Mayor Gregg Sweeten said. "But Friday and Saturday made up for it. I'm not sure they weren't some of our best nights we've ever had."
The 2004 Ford Mustang was for sure the most popular vehicle raffled during Jesse James Days. More than 14,000 tickets were sold. Most were sold by the Little Mr. and Miss Jesse Pageant winners. Kyle Hubbard of Jane won the vehicle.
The carnival had some different rides and that kept the kids entertained, Sweeten said.
"We had 237 advanced-sale armbands, which not only helped the Fire Department but also help the folks who purchased them to get a break on the price. They were supposed to be sold for $17, but the Fire Department ate $2 on each so we could bring the cost down to match last years," Sweeten said. The price was lowered because firefighters want children to be able to ride the rides and not have to suffer the increase of the operational cost of the carnival.
"All in all it was a good year -- good food, good music, good finish and everyone had fun, what more can you ask for," Sweeten said.
"Our clerks at City Hall, Melissa and Sylvia, have worked for months getting all the donated items picked up, sorted, and ready for the auctions and the dinner. We have some great donors who support us every year," Mayor Gregg Sweeten said. "We have some great volunteers, like Tammy Thomas, who not only donates her time to help us get ready for the event but also turns in her volunteer hours to her employer and they send us a check for her hours."
The firefighters and volunteers are usually dead tired by Saturday night, but it's worth it because Jesse James Days is the biggest fundraiser of the year, Sweeten said. The Fire Department is a membership department, not a tax-based department.
The Grand Marshal of the Jesse James Days Parade was Jimmy Armstrong, a former Pineville fire chief who has more than 30 years with the Pineville Fire Department.
Winner of the 13-mile bike ride with a time of 57:27 was Charles Thacker.
Winner of the 10k run with a time of 42:20 was Rustin Crockett.
Winner of the 5k run with a time of 20:32 was Conner Underwood.
Community on 08/18/2016