Reigning Royalty..........Dairy Festival Queen Alina Tatum, flashes a pretty smile, from atop
the Queen's Float, where she waved to the crowd and reigned over the 2006 parade.


It's Parade Time In
Hopkins County

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Pretty girls, flashing smiles, antique tractors, and classic cars, were just some of the entries, as the 2006 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade left Buford Park and wound its way through Sulphur Springs, on Saturday, as the community paused and paid tribute to the Dairy Industry. Reigning Dairy Festival Queen Alina Tatum waved to the crowd, from atop her Queen's Float, and showed the grace and poise that won her the title in last year's contest.

Longtime Dairy Festival Board members and career dairy farmers, Jerry Don and Peggy Gibby, of the Birthright Community, served as this year's honored Parade Marshalls, and rode atop a bright red Cadillac convertible, as they waved to friends and family along the parade route. "It was a hot ride and a real indicator that summertime has arrive," chipped Jerry Don Gibby. "But, it was great honor to be recognized for your career objectives and to be selected by a group of your fellow peers to serve as marshalls and lead the annual parade!"

 

How many farmers does it take to start a tractor?......These dairy farmers were a part of those who
passed-out milk all along the parade route, and seemed to be having a problem with their tractor.

Local dairy farmers in action........Those along the parade route enjoyed refreshing milk, as local
dairymen and their families passed out milk furnished by Dairy Max, a marketing arm of the dairy industry.

And, these children stand in line to receive their free milk sample, from local dairy farmer, J.R. Fisher.


This little boy knows what is good for him.....MILK!!!!!

 

First Baptist Church entered a float, complete with an igloo, to promote their "Arctic Edge" theme
for Vacation Bible School, this upcoming week.

 

These parade-goers didn't seem to mind the Saturday heat!


Little Dairy Festival participants rode their own floats depicting the dairy
promotion theme. Above, Ashley Voss and   Dean Draper ride this colorful conveyance,
while, below, Alex Post and   Presli Cummings ride a big block of cheese, and wave to the crowd.




2006 Dairy Festival Queen Candidates Katie Hettich and Kayla Morgan smile from their positions
on this colorful float.


And, Queen Candidates, Katie Watson, Dichele Wiser, and Whitney McDaniels rode on this float
that promoted Sour Cream and Real Cream.

 

 

And, this young man had to wait for his truck to arrive before he could get started in Saturday's parade.


And, these members of the Hopkins Co. Sheriff's Posse, posted the color via horseback.


These students of a local karate school advertised their school and waved to the crowd.


"John Deere Green"......reckin' the girl's thought his tractor was sexy?

 

And, local business, Melba's Creations, entered this colorful float, to dazzle the crowd.


And, what would a parade be without classic cars?


This year's parade included some 30 Corvettes that were part of the local Corvette Show.

The Hot Air Balloon Piolots made a hit in the parade as they danced a few flames
from this float, as they made their way around the downtown square.

Lots-a-Spots Carriage Service dazzled the crowd with their stylish entry in the parade.

 

And, these "hillbillies" from County Line Baptist Church in Yantis portrayed the farm family making
ice cream and churning butter. You can't get any more "dairy" than that!



Antique tractors were present to make all of us remember the humble beginnings of farming in Hopkins
County. And, they were followed by the larger and more modern models, used on the farms today.




Rhonda Young drove this classy JBWeld entry in Saturday's parade, that she had restored and had
everyone going back to the 1950's.


And, Eddie Northcutt drove this classy model along the parade route.

The "Meal A Day Queens" made their presence known as they waved to the crowd!



And, Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab had this "cheesy" entry, complete with a large camera!



Barry "Cricket" Pryor rode this fancy entry along the parade route and
waved to the crowd.



And, Little Rodeo Princess Lexie Stribling pulled-down her hat and
rode the entire route, as she waved to family and friends.

This local day-care center loaded-up the kids and rode the parade route.


And, this young man had a hot job as he kicked his soccer ball to promote
his soccer team in Saturday's parade.


The End!



Then, we spied this scene at the Spring Village Shopping Center, where it was all over but waiting for the
trailer to arrive, and go home!


____