103rd Versailles Pumpkin Show to begin
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Members of the Versailles Lions Club have been busy getting things lined up for the 103rd Annual Versailles Pumpkin Show set for September 21­24.

The 2005 Versailles Pumpkin Show will open Wednesday, September 21, with a discount ride night. All rides will only be one ticket. The reduced rate is $10.00 for 12 tickets and can be purchased at area schools, Spencer-Tyson Pharmacy, Versailles Super Valu and Whitewater Motors in Milan.

The first night will also kick off with royalty being crowned. The Queen and King Contest will be held September 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Candidates vying for the title of Queen and King for the 103rd Versailles Pumpkin Show are: Amanda Hartman and Bob Stanley, Milan High School; Holly Bill and David Lockwood, East Central High School; Kalenia Simon and Kyle Horan, from Jac-Cen-Del; Jessica Akins and Zachary Getz from Switzerland County High School; Bridgette Adams and Alex Hafft from South Ripley; Kaylee Wright and Justin Dahline from South Dearborn High School; Ashley Young and Brandon Seabolt from the Southeastern Career Center; and Daniel King and Justine Allen from Batesville High School.

Music for Wednesday evening will be the Stacy Lynn Band from 8:45 to 9:30 p.m.

Thursday the day will begin for area cooks as they prepare pumpkin goodies for Ripley Publishing Co.'s 17th annual Pumpkin Show Baking Contest.

Entries will be accepted at the newspaper's office at 115 S. Washington Street, Versailles, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Then judges will taste each entry and decisions will be made for first, second, and third places in four different categories: pumpkin pies, cakes and pumpkin rolls, breads and miscellaneous. There will be a separate entry for children. Each entry must contain pumpkin. Ripley Publishing Co., publishers of the Osgood Journal and The Versailles Republican, will present "The Best Baker Award" to the top entry. The winner will receive a $200 check and a plaque.

The winners will be announced on stage Thursday evening after the Prince and Princess Contest, which begins at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday at 7:00 the 43rd annual Pumpkin Show Princess Contest and the 19th annual Prince Contest will be held on stage at 7:00 p.m.

Contestants for the contest are: Aaron Johnson and Emma Dornbusch, Milan Elementary; Vincent Hountz and Caroline Moorman, Jac-Cen-Del Elementary; Gordon "Zachary" Barrett and Tori Reuter from South Ripley Elementary; Karl Hoffrogge and Elizabeth Rennekamp from St. Nicholas Catholic School; Caleb Moster and Sydney Lecher from St. Louis Catholic School; Austin Shreve and Erin Carleton of Sunman Elementary School; Michael Miller and McKenzie Brown from Cross Plains Christian School; and Nathan Kirschner and Isabella Stange from Batesville Primary.

Stage events for the evening will continue with the 17th Annual Pumpkin Show Pie Eating Contest, also sponsored by Ripley Publishing Company. Each year seniors from four schools see who can eat the most pumpkin (of course) pie in one minute, yes, with their hands tied behind their backs.

Representatives and their schools are: Kiley MacVey and Josh Holland from Milan High School; Jessica Wilson and Patrick Trujillo from South Ripley School; Brittany Ertel and Blake Billman from Jac-Cen-Del School; and Justin Beach and Kelly Fox will represent the Southeastern Career Center.

Local band High Voltage, will be in concert on Thursday evening from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m.

On Friday evening a free concert will be given by Rick K. and the Allnighters from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the stage area. Before they take stage, Kentucky Sisters will perform.

Saturday, the day will begin with the legendary parade at 10:30 a.m. This parade is known to be one of the best with a variety of floats from businesses, organizations and individuals. The gigantic pumpkins will be weighed at 1:00 p.m. with sign up for the Kids and Adult Tractor Pull at the Versailles Lions Club Tent at the same time. The tractor pull will begin at 2:00 p.m. next to Spencer-Tyson Pharmacy.

Stage entertainment will be Sojourn Classic Rock Band, Cheerleader Contest and 650north Rock Group to round out the evening.

For more information on the Versailles Lions Club, sponsor of the event, go to www.versaillespumpkinshow.com or www.versailleslionsclub.com.

Pumpkin Show entertainment sponsors at the platinum level ($1,000) include: Versailles Tyson Fund, Town of Versailles, Spencer-Tyson Pharmacy, Friendship State Bank, Ripley Publishing Company, Stutler's Service, MainSource Bank & Insurance.

Gold sponsors ($500) are: Wireless Dimensions-Cingular Wireless Authorized Agent, A Touch of Country, Holman Septic Tank Sales and Redy Mix, Ripley County Farm Bureau Insurance, Halcomb Home Center, Tom Tepe Autocenter, Mike Holman Excavating, Health Centered Chiropractic, and American Legion Post 173.