OROVILLE – The 77th Annual May Festival featured many traditional events as well as some new activities that are quickly becoming part of the tradition.
The Gold Digger Apple Float was judged Best Float this year and another crowd favorite, the City of Kelowna float featuring an iridescent green Ogopogo was Queen Madison Hatch’s Choice. The City of Kelowna Royalty also earned a first place in the judge’s awards.
By the number of ties this year it was apparent the judges were having a hard time choosing among the many fine entries. The other first prize winners were:
Mounted Royalty, (Tie) Okanogan County Fair and Okanogan County Junior Rodeo; Tractors, (Tie) LaMar Wolley and Travis Loudon; Cars, 1927 Model T owned by Bill and Dusty Burvee; Community, (Tie) Oroville Garden Club and Oroville Eagles; Community Youth: Oroville Cooperative Preschool; Church: Bible Faith Family Church; Horse Unit: Chesaw Drill Team; Senior School: OHS Band; Junior School: 3rd Grade Royalty; Law Enforcement: U.S. Customs & Border Protection with the Forest Service; Commercial: (Tie) Gold Digger Apples and Discount Fireworks
Although much of the festival revolves around the Grand Parade, the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, fun run, bass tourney and car show also had many participants and spectators. Oroville residents swept all the prizes for the car show this year, according to Buddy Hires, one of the event’s organizers. The winners in each category were:
1st Tractor – Jerry Milholland, 1953 Ford; 2nd Tractor – Richard Ellis, 1947 Allis-chalmers
1st Motorcycle -.
1st Truck – Ray Bumgarne, 1947 Chevy Pickup; 2nd Truck – Dan and Jane Gerth, 1955 Chevy Pickup
1st Car – Andrea Cockle, 1969 Ford Mustang; 2nd Car – Bob Cunningham, 1965 Cobra)
3rd Car – Jim Woodward, 1972 Plymouth Satellite
Princess Kelsey’s choice – Jerry Ecklor, 1958 Chevy Belair; Princess Naomi’s choice – The Boyer Family’s, 1970 Boss Mustang; Princess Kylie’s choice – Monica Knight, 1956 Ford Wagon and Queen Madison’s choice – Ray Bumgarne, 1947 Chevy Pickup.
For the results from the fun run, bass tournament and 3-on-3 tournament see the sports section on page 7.
