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Versailles Poultry Days
2016 Poultry
Days Parade a Hoot… As Always
By Bob Robinson
It’s a weird feeling not being involved in “journalism” any longer…
weird but in a way, comforting. I can do what I enjoy without having to
worry about reporting on it… under deadline, no less.
That’s assuming I have the time. I’ve had to replace a lot of events I
really enjoyed because of my educational pursuits. There simply isn’t
enough time to “do it all.” Among the list of things I WON’T give up is
the annual Poultry Days Parade. I love parades; will be doing my best
to go to as many as possible this summer.
Last weekend, June 11, I headed up to Versailles and started walking
the parade route from the old high school to downtown. I said “hi” to a
couple that I’ve seen in approximately the same location every year for
as long as I can remember… I said “hi” to a lot of kids grinning with
their plastic bags, waiting to chase after their candy…
“Hey Bob! Hold up!” It was Darke County Commissioner Mike Stegall.
“Haven’t seen you around. What you been doing?” I went through my usual
routine, one that I answer for someone probably a dozen times a week:
teaching full time at Edison and tutoring about 20 children looking for
a boost (or maintenance) over the summer.
Then it dawned on me. “Not riding in the parade? It’s about to start.”
“Headed
there right now,” he said, as he took off. A few minutes I saw Gaylen
Blosser, doing the honors for The Early Bird. We talked a little while
and I started moving out again, looking for photo shots...
The parade starts. I snap a few more pictures, then start heading back
toward the high school when I got a tap on the shoulder… it was
Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Riffle. He used to direct traffic from the
chicken sales area; this year he was standing in the shade watching the
parade.
“Seniority,” he said, grinning.
Moving along quickly to get more shots closer to the end… “Mr.
Robinson!” I turned around – it was my young buddy, Caleigh. “Mr.
Robinson,” she yelled again as she ran up for her hug. Mom followed
behind, grinning. “So you’re the Mr. Robinson she keeps talking about,”
she said.
I grinned. “Guilty,” I said. We talked for a few minutes, then I rushed
off to snap my pictures for a parade that seems to get longer every
year. One more stop… two children showing me their “loot.” “Boy,
that’s a lot of candy. Can I have some?” I asked one of them? “No!” she
replied, laughing.
Finally the parade started wrapping up and I realized how tired I was.
I limped back to the chicken sales area. Long… long… long… lines. Tired
or not, you simply don’t leave Versailles Poultry Days without your
chicken dinners.
Parade: one hour and 20 minutes. Ticket line: five minutes. Chicken
line: an hour and a half. Long wait but well worth it… good stuff! And
another year wraps up.
See three Poultry Days Parade photo sets at Community
Events Photo Gallery
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