“It was an extremely positive experience,” said Osgood 2006 President Jerry Vollmer after the celebration was over.

“The celebration was truly a success. We accomplished what we set out to accomplish. The one thing that touched me the most was the way the town and its citizens cleaned up their homes and properties and took a pride in Osgood that I have never seen before. I believe the celebration accomplished two things, it brought people to Osgood who had never been here before and established a positive camaraderie among the citizens of Osgood.”

The Osgood 2006 celebration was considered a success on many levels. The parade had 104 entries and more than 800 people participated. The car show on Sunday had over 700 entries. Vollmer said they had to open more streets up than they had planned because there were so many participants. There were more than 300 entries in the Tri-Kappa Art Show. All events were well attended.

From the opening ceremony at the Jac-Cen-Del High School gymnasium just prior to the Prince and Princess contest, the event was spectacular reflecting the hard work committee members had put forth.

Royalty was crowned the first night after 26 contestants walked the runway that was decorated with twinkling lights and floral arrangements. To the sound of music appropriate for their age group, children ranging from age five to eight, appeared in party wear and were interviewed by Lila Neal, president of the Osgood Kiwanis Club, who was assisted by Ed Wolfe.

A large crowd gathered that night to see Hannah Mullikin, 8, daughter of Tracy and David Mullikin, and Billy Lewis, 8, son of Jamie and Willie Lewis, crowned Princess and Prince of Osgood’s 2006 Sesquicentennial celebration. The court would include first runners-up Ian Strunk and Kaylynn Baluyot and second runners-up, Damon Ward and Grace Volz.

Gospel music could be heard throughout the event from the main stage set up at the end of the Brick Street, where a number of vendors had also set up. The fairgrounds became a busy place with a number of encampments including those from Civil War days, World War II, and a horse and wagon round up.

Vollmer told the media that about 3000 people attended the Terri Clark concert on Sunday at Osgood.

Sunman celebration big success
Held in conjunction with Sunman’s Wine Festival, the Sesquicentennial celebration there was a huge success as well. A number of people visited the town, learned about its history and in general had a “great time,” according to organizers of the event.

Sunman began celebrating their 150th birthday on August 26, when a Civil War encampment was in place at the town park. A number of soldiers in blue or grey uniforms were strolling throughout the park, giving demonstrations, and taking people back in time a number of years.

Rachel Kinker was named Queen of the 2006 event with Miranda Brunnemann, Tina Hayes, and Erica Joerger as her court. Roberta Salatin Struewing, the town’s Centennial Queen, was there to crown Kinker. Mike Martini, WMKV Radio, emceed the event.
Other events on Friday evening included a beard contest, a skit where locals took active part in a trial for a “bank robbery” that brought cheers from the large crowd, and from contestants vying for the first place in the Sunman Idol contest.

A large crowd gathered for Sunman’s first Idol contest. There were 31 contestants, who were narrowed down to 12 and then the final six performed on Saturday with Beth Cooper, 20, of Sunman, being the final winner. She sang a Martina McBride number and won the $2,000 prize. Second place went to Pam Davis, 49, of Sunman and third went to Lindsay Ross, 16, of Batesville, who took home $200. The event promises to be even larger next year, according to organizers. Anita Fledderman of Enhanced TeleCommunications noted that the event was extremely successful with fireworks rounding out the evening.

The parade at Sunman brought a number of entries who were showing their spirit for the town and celebrating in style. Some entries were about days gone by, and others projected the future for the town that gives “small town advantages close to the interstate.”
All in all the celebrations were well attended by both local residents and those who came from out of town for the events. While those in attendance are glad it only comes every 50 years, they expressed how much they enjoyed being able to be a part of it this time around. “It was a great experience, one I’ll never see again,” noted Kris Schneider of Sunman.