The Hamilton County Fair kicked off crowning Evelyn Drew as the VIP Silver Queen. along with the annual fashion revue. On Friday, the dog show started the morning off. Then the community rallied on Main Street to enjoy the evening’s fair parade. Smiles, laughter, and plenty of Hay Bales and Cow Tails.
Parade results -
4-H Floats:
Busy Bears - 1st
Willing Workers -2nd
Open Floats:
Wood N Post - 1st
Sheriff’s Office - 2nd
Stepping Stones Preschool - 3rd
Horse + Buggy
Hayden Harris -1st
Horse + Rider
Scarlett Hines - 1st
Brandee Garcia - 2nd
Open
Tracy Housholder - 1st
Kathy Johnson - 2nd
Group
Saddle Club - 1st
Golf Cart Calie Green -1st
Open:
Valley State Bank - 1st
Decorated Vehicle
2024 HM CO., Kansas, US
Ag Queens - 13
Antique Truck
TexKan / Ark Valley - 1st
Antique Tractor
Kris Kerr - 1st
Shawna Kerr- 2nd
Neil Libertus - 3rd
ATV
Jillyanne Riley - 1st
Joshua Thompson - 2nd
Sno Shack/Ashlyn Finlay-3rd
The annual Hamilton County Fair Demolition Derby was held Saturday, July 18 at the fairgrounds. Mother Nature could not have delivered a more perfect night for the event with pleasant temperatures and dry conditions.
The Tuesday before the event, the arena was full of water but the show was slated to go on! Event organizer and volunteer Greg Watson works for Scout Energy and they allowed himself, and Derek Godfrey, the use of the gas/oil field tanker truck to suck the rain water out the arena and pit area.
Truck driver Asuncion Reyes assisted, sucking roughly two truckloads of water, equivalent to approximately 10,000 gallons. “Water was eight inches deep in places,” said Watson.
Scout allows their employees one day to volunteer and give back to their community, calling it “Scout Gives Back”. Watson takes his day to prepare the derby arena and prepare for the show, dragging the arena, rebuilding the berm, moving dumpsters, making sure everything is prepared and in order.
The Derby is a popular event with members of the community, with over 1,000 spectators in attendance. Waiting for the event to start, attendees could enjoy “Midway” like food and refreshments from the food trucks and the Saddle Club concession stand.
Vying for the cash prizes were 32 cars and pickups from Syracuse and southwest Kansas.This was a normal number of entries for the event. According to Watson, “It really depends on harvest whether numbers are up or down.”
There was $9,025 in prize money for four different classes, women’s full size, compact, men’s full size and pickups. Adding to the evening’s festivities, there were three battery operated power wheels “smashing it up”. From Syracuse, Joslyn Rivas took third place who showed sign of disappointment when her power wheels lost power.
The top three in each class were Women’s Only: Tara Watson, Melissa Wilson, and Reagan (Wilson) Lozar. Compact: Taylor Jones, Eric Smith and KC Giancola. Men’s Full Size, Ben Stultz, Austin Wilson, and Payson Hawkins.
Additional cash prizes included $50 for the person who smashes the watermelon after they are lined up around the arena, when the green flag is waved. Winners were Compact: Gunnar Upson, Truck, Cory Cook, Fullsize, Payson Hawkins.
The MADDOG prize of $400, paid out in multiple classes, goes to the most aggressive driver. “The one who is putting on the show, the person has no regard for what their car looks like after the derby. They just go out to put a lickin’ on everyone who gets in their way,” explained Watson. Winners were: Compact, Gunnar Upson, Truck, George Huser, and Fullsize, Payson Hawkins
Watson has competed in derbies for over 20 years, “It’s my passion! After about eleven years the show was going away, the fair board was almost ready to do away with the event due to the cost,” he said, “I asked if I could come to talk to the board and I told them I would volunteer to put on the event for two to three years and here we are!”
The Watson family has volunteered for over 10 years. “I go to the fair board meeting to schedule the event, and then we begin organizing the event,” said Watson, “It’s our way of giving back to the community.”
Watson said there are not many left in this area and the reason is communities must pay promoters, mainly for the insurance, to put on the event. “What makes Syracuse derby work is the fair board pays for a supplemental policy during the fair, thus insuring the derby,” explained Watson.
“We are very fortunate in this community that we have people who are willing to volunteer to help put the derby on and local businesses for monetary donations and prizes. If it wasn’t for those people, my family, fire department, ambulance, fair board members, it would no longer happen, and their only pay is a thank you from me and a tee shirt,” said Watson.
“One unique thing this year was a women’s only class. In year’s past we had a powderpuff and they would hope one of the men’s cars was runnable after they get done running,” said Watson, “We’re trying to get the ladies involved, there’ a bunch of women that want to run and are really good at what they do and they put on a pretty good show this year!”
Watson hopes to compete and win in Syracuse before he gets too old, “I’ll have to get someone to run it for me!” In the meantime, his wife, Tara, has taken to the driver’s seat competing in and winning the women’s class on Saturday.
“My wife has it figured out!” said Watson, “I ran that car two years ago and won at Holly, after I ran it, she drove the car in the powder puff, only making two hits before it broke down.”
With a little bit of work, the car was in the arena. After being pushed up on the berm, with a little patience, she was able to drive off! “She watched enough she knew what to do and after that, she totally changed, going from defense to offense and made some good hits.”
The derby car family has an unusual comradery. Watson explains there is a culture, a way of life. “People can hate each other while they’re racing in the arena, but after the race, they’re hugging shaking hands and happy, they are friends again.”
Watson felt it was a fantastic show. “For this to continue it takes volunteers and participation so if anyone knows someone who wants to participate in the sport, get them coming our way.”
2015 Syracuse High School graduate Taelor (Oller) Leyva has always dreamed of being a novelist. But as her life and family grew, her priorities became God and her family. Leyva is the daughter of Crystal Loder and Dustin Oller. She married 2016 SHS grad Diego Leyva and... [More]
While many youth in our community have been able to take part in the free junior golf lessons during the summer for many years, Paige Barnes recalls it as what pushed her on this journey. Barnes said, “When we moved to Syracuse, my first experience with golf was... [More]
The year was 1989 when there were three law firms in Syracuse, Kansas - Jim Terrill, John Stanley, and Gale & Gale. By the end of 1990, there were two - Terrill and Gale & Gale. Thirty-five years ago, Janice Simon began working part time at Gale &... [More]
The long wait is over. The Hamilton County Library has reopened on Main Street. A grand reopening was held on Tuesday afternoon with tours all day. Library Director Amy Brucker choked up as she addressed the large crowd of library board members, county commissioners, patrons,... [More]
The Hamilton County Fair is in full swing with many fun activities for everyone. It began Thursday, July 18, when Ann Palmer was crowned Silver Queen at the VIP Center. Her princesses were Lola Fox, Marcia Ashmore and Ellie Seba. Following the coronation was the 4-H... [More]
Fair Entries - How Does It Work It’s Easy and Fun to Enter! Want to participate in the Hamilton County Fair? Showcase your talents and turn your hobbies and special interests into a winner. Who Can Enter? ALL Hamilton County residents are eligible to enter and... [More]
Scarlett Hines, daughter of Travis and Corinna Hines, has been riding a horse since she could walk. She got her first pony, Ladybug, when she was two or three years old. She has participated in play days, local and regional rodeos, and now can add winning at the National... [More]
No cab, wheat chaff flying in your face, and hot temperatures, were all the norm back in the 1960s. One local farmer mentioned, “It was pretty miserable when a back wind came up and blew the chaff on you. We did have umbrellas sometimes to help with the hot sun.”... [More]
It’s time for the State Fair! This year looks incredibly different from last year. I am actually shocked we even get to go. As our daughter transitions to junior high, more hands are necessary to keep going. Her practices run early and late. Sometimes homework, studying,... [More]
Here we are at the end of August 2024. Fall is so close I can almost touch it and then bam a 100 degree day. For some that is energizing. I am more of a cooler weather fan. We are supposed to leave for the state fair next Thursday. I say supposed to because you never know... [More]
I read a quote the other day that hardship draws you closer to God. While it may be true, I don’t feel a bright shiny light warming my heart, thanking God, singing Hallelujah. In fact, in the middle of the storms, I feel lost, discombobulated, uncomfortable, and question... [More]
Have you heard of Walter’s Wiggles? It’s a long switchback trail in Zion National Park that leads you to Angel’s Landing. The view is breathtaking. The steep uphill zigzag climb can give you a few moments wondering if it is worth it to go on. I think... [More]
It’s hard for me to fathom that school begins Monday. We just finished fair, fair clean up, after fair exhaustion week trying to catch up on everything put on the back burner because of fair. This weekend I spent most of my days and nights putting together... [More]
It’s August!!!! It’s hot!!! That is a direct quote from me. Lol! Triple digit temperatures make everything uncomfortable. While the county fair is over, I have not recovered yet. A lot of hard work by a lot of people, too many to name went into putting on a... [More]
On Friday, July 28, 1944, one of the Syracuse Journal headlines read , “TOO MUCH NEWS”. The article said, “We’re sorry, but last minute political advertisements and legal notices that had to be run this issue crowded us for space this week and we had to... [More]
Life is going faster and faster. The list of tasks I have to complete has my head spinning and my heart racing. We got away for a few days. It was short. But we were immersed in nature. Cell phone service was spotty. I slowly began unwinding. We set up our tent, hiked... [More]
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]
Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse. Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]
Harvey Ellsworth Crist, 97, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024, at his home in Syracuse, Kansas. He was born August 4, 1927 in Holly, Colorado, the son of Paul F. Crist and Margaret (Herbig) Crist. Harvey began his life in Holly, Colorado and was raised in Bear Creek Township... [More]
Maxine J. Ralstin Maxine Jeanette Ralstin passed away Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 peacefully at her home in Syracuse, Kansas. Maxine was born February, 21, 1942 as the third of four children to Freeman H. and Mary O. (Husky) Ralstin. Maxine was a lifelong resident... [More]
Larry's life began with Millard and Elsie (Billy) Finlay on May 25, 1941, in Lakin, KS. He lived 83 years and passed away at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, on August 10, 2024. He was the oldest of four. His siblings are Llyndee Lacey of Independence, KS; Ron Finlay of Kendall,... [More]
Bill Maxey, of Amarillo, TX passed away on August 4, 2024. Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2024 at Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, KS. Bill was born in Syracuse, Kansas to James and Betty Maxey. He was the youngest of four brothers,... [More]
Maurine (Boltz) Urton, 94, passed away Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born November 28, 1929 in Syracuse, Kansas, the daughter of Henry Charles Boltz and Mildred Hannah (Logan) Boltz. Maurine was born in Syracuse &... [More]
William (Bill) George McManess, age 64, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Wichita, Kansas at Wesley Medical Center surrounded by his daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was born on December 14, 1959 in Wichita, Kansas to Charles (Chuck)... [More]
Born on August 13, 1932, Patricia Ann Daugherty (Pat or affectionately known as ‘Gram’, died on November 22, 2023, at the Kearny County Hospital at the age of 91. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Raymond M and Maude Hessling. Pat married Bill Daugherty on... [More]
Loren William Youngers, age 68, of La Veta, CO, passed away on May 29th, 2024. Loren was born September 11th, 1955, in Kingman, KS, the son of George and Evelyn Youngers. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Doreen Amon, and niece Anne Marie Youngers. He is... [More]
©2024 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.