Palisade Pioneer Days fills weekend with activities

Palisade had four days of activities this year for its annual Pioneer Days Celebration.
Lunch Thursday featured hot dogs served by Credit Union and Haag Insurance.
A full day of activities Friday included evening Wauneta-Palisade T-ball and coach pitch teams against Hayes Center. A coed slow pitch softball game was held at the end of the kids’ games.
The evening included the WP Cheerleaders’ Light the Night Run and a hamburger feed followed by a bon fire by the Palisade Volunteer Fire Department.
Saturday’s parade winners were WP FFA and Dan and Max Johanson in the kids division. Class of 1972 won the alumni division; A.B.A.T.E and Dakota Shane placed in vehicles. In the business division, Aviana Salon/Vrbas Auction, Hondo Fanning Construction and Happy’s Feed and Fuel Center were winners. The Palisade Library and Alta Keating placed in the open division. Taking top spots in tractors were Riener Farms with a 1953 John Deere R and Cliff Riener with a 1964 John Deere 3020.
Winners were also announced for the library’s Digital Puzzle Contest. Allison Brown won the 4 to 12 year old age group and Josie Lytle won the 12 to 100 year old age group.
Brock Malcolm and Kenny Adams won the horseshoe tournament.
The WP volleyball team dunk tank, car show Main Street games, duck races and a slip n’ slide were among other afternoon activities.
The evening included supper at the second annual Smokin’ on the Bobtail which included four divisions. First place in ribs and pulled pork went to Sam and Skyler Sutherland, followed by RRK and Matt Wickizer. RRK won the beans division, with Wickizer coming in second and the Sutherlands third. Larry Hergenreder won mystery meat.
Sunday activities included a community potluck dinner, a golf course set up at the Palisade State Sand Pits and the fishing contest.
In the bass division of the fishing contest, Richard Durham took first with a 1.69 lb. fish, Kreyton Wiese was second at 1.30 lbs. and Kaden Dorn was third at 1.08 lbs.
Matthew Blackman caught a  25.3 lb. catfish to win that division. Terry Brewer was second with a 4.29-pounder and Micah Bley was third with a 0.77 lb. catfish.
Brewer won the bluegill/sunfish division with a 0.48 lb. fish, just ahead of Dorn’s 0.41 lb. fish. Bennett Wiese was third with a .39 lb. catch.
Callen Hicks caught the only crappie.