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Town honors military during 45th AFAD
Cool weather, bright, sunny skies and huge crowds marked the 45th Annual Air Force Appreciation Day activities Saturday.
Overall, Chamber officials organizing the event were pleased with the turnout and how well the day's activities went.
That didn't mean there weren't some glitches.
For the first time in memory no aircraft flew over the town to mark the start of the parade. Although A-10s from the Idaho National Guard were expected to make the flyover, and usually make their low-level pass over the city right on time, this time the skies were clear. Parade Chairman Sue Gross held up the start of the parade for 15 minutes, waiting for the planes to appear, then had a phone call made to the base which reported there were no planes in the local airspace at that time.
So Gross told the police and emergency vehicles that lead out the parade to fire up their sirens and the 145-entry parade, the state's largest, headed out on its 0.8-mile serpentine trek through town to Carl Miller Park.
A few entries, such as the bagpipe band, had canceled at the last minute, and the much-anticipated appearance of Darrell Waltrip's Bush Series NASCAR car was reserved for a static display next to the park, after NASCAR officials determined it was too dangerous to drive the car through town in the parade route.
The parade also suffered from problems with crowd control, especially in the first block where children running into the street to grab candy sometimes made it difficult for some of the parade entries to push through the crowd. Despite efforts by law enforcement to keep the crowd back, the failure of those throwing candy to throw it far enough to get to the sidewalk and the failure of parents to restrain their children made for some unsafe conditions in the first few blocks of the parade.
But overall, the parade went well, with a large number of gaily decorated floats, marching units and a huge American Flag from Stubbs Realty that was carried by the Kuna cheerleading squad through town to the applause of the thick crowds lining the street along the parade route.
At the conclusion of the parade the crowds poured into Carl Miller Park to enjoy the free barbecue and 135 vendor booths set up throughout the park, as well as a variety of entertainment headed by the USAF band Mobility. An estimated 10,000 people crowded into the park during the afternoon, finally clearing out around 4 p.m.
The Chamber held raffle drawings thoughout the day. The Suma Scooter was won by Cris Crisman, the two $500 cash prizes were won by Cindy Althoff and Lisa Stover, the Intermountain Gas gril was won by Daniel Wilson, Carlene Young won the $350 certificate for bikes at Wal-Mart, Larry Crane won the DVD/VCR, Ernest Nutting won the Digital Camera, Robert Williamson won the Bogus Basin lift tickets, Adrian's Club won the free night at the Anniversary Inn, and Jeanette Gardiner won the camping equipment.
All prizes can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce office.
The parade winners saw the 366th Medical Group's entry selected as for the People's Choice Award, based on balloting of floats that went on static display next to the park after the parade. Second place went to Advanced Services and third place was won by the 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
The best representation of theme was awarded to Idaho Independent Bank for its "globe" float.
Other parade winners, based on balloting by a panel of judges, were:
Military
1st -- 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
2nd -- 366th Medical Group.
3rd -- 366th Operations Support Squadron.
Open Class
1st -- Mothers of the Military (MOMS).
2nd -- ECCCD.
3rd -- Royal Order of Purple Gems.
Animal
1st -- Elmore County 4-H.
2nd -- Elmore County Rodeo Queen and court.
3rd -- "Sulky" the Mule and outrider.
Religious
1st -- Grace Lutheran Church.
2nd -- Faith Lutheran Church.
3rd -- First Southern Baptist Church.
Service Organizations
1st -- Mountain Home Tin Lizzies.
2nd -- El Korah Sand Duners of Boise.
3rd -- Payette Shrine Club and Clowns.
Youth
1st -- MHAFB Girl Scout Troop #38.
2nd -- MHAFB Child Development Center.
3rd -- Cub Scout Pack 102, Boy Scout Troop 102.
Commercial 1
1st -- U.S. Bank.
2nd -- Horizon Home Health and Hospice.
3rd -- Advanced Services.
Commercial 2
1st -- Idaho IndependentBank.
2nd -- Albertson's.
3rd -- DECA (MHAFB Commissary).
Classic Vehicle
1st -- Unique Boutique (Model A Ford).
2nd -- MSgt. Steve and Dillon Gyurke.
3rd -- Antique tractors (John Deere Models D, G, and R).