Photo from Claypool’s parade in 2022.

By Brianna Pitts
InkFreeNews

CLAYPOOL — Claypool is gearing up for the celebration of their sesquicentennial on June 16-17.

There are still several open registrations for events.

• Forms for the kid’s parade are available for pick-up at the post office and on the People of Claypool Facebook page. No motorized bikes are permitted.
• Registration for the 5K is open until 8 a.m. June 17. A check is your registration and can be made out to “Claypool Festival.”

Marge and Janet Warren have been named the parade marshals for the event. Marge and Janet are sister-in-laws whose husbands were business partners in Warren Brothers Drywall, now in its fourth generation of the Warren family. These two women were chosen in order to honor their significant contribution to the planning of the Claypool centennial 50 years ago.

The parade on Saturday, June 17, is open to participation from the public and is themed “Yesteryear.”

Line-up will be at 10 a.m. at Claypool Elementary School. The sign-up sheets for the parade are available on the People of Claypool Facebook page, as well as the post office and Someplace Else Saloon.

All sign-up sheets must be returned to Ben Stage, 105 N. Lindsay St., Claypool; or Someplace Else Saloon, 1085 Main St., Claypool.

There will be a few different food options at the sesquicentennial. From 7-10 a.m. Saturday, June 17, there will be a fireman’s breakfast. At noon on Saturday, there will be a hot dog, chips and water lunch, free with donation, at Lions Park. There will also be smoked chicken for sale by Dave Ousley of Shooting Star Farm. The Boy Scouts will also be serving their mouse ears at the Lions Building during the day on Saturday.

On Saturday, there will be several contests available for kids to participate in with the chance to win prizes.

• Baby Crawl: for ages six months to 2
• Bouncy Ball Race: divided by ages 3-6, with each age having their own category
• Three-Legged Race: categories based on ages 7 and 8; 9 and 10; and 11 and 12
• Spoon Race: Ages 3-6; 7-10; 11-13
• Peanut Spit: There will be an under 10 category and an over 10 years old category.
• Water Balloons: teams of two of any age
• Frozen T-Shirt: teams of two of any age

There is also a possibility of a tyke bike race if someone in the community will volunteer one of their tyke bikes. If someone wishes to volunteer, contact [email protected].

The sesquicentennial will also be hosting a car show and a tractor show, where the winners will receive a prize.

Closing out the celebrations will be two bands, Gunslinger and Highway 30.

A complete list of events for both days can be found below:

Friday, June 16:

• 4-8 p.m. Ice Cream Social hosted by Free Will Baptist
• 4-8 p.m. Historical Displays will be set up at the United Methodist Church
• 6 p.m. Kid’s parade, line up at 5 p.m. at Full Gospel Tabernacle parking lot at North and Main Streets.
• 7 p.m. Awards following the parade at the Judge’s stand.
• Following the parade awards, there will be a time capsule burial ceremony.
• Kiddie Tunes, 60’s music and Rock ‘n Roll will be playing after the parade awards until 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 17:

• 7-10 a.m. Fireman’s Breakfast hosted at the fire station
• 8 a.m. 5K Run
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Historical Display at United Methodist Church
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vendors at the corner of Calhoun and Main Streets.
• 11 a.m. Parade
• Noon Parade winners announced
• 1 p.m. Corn Hole Contest at the Bank, $10 entry fee
• 1 p.m. Car Show on Main Street
• 1 p.m. Tractor Show on Railroad Street
• 1 p.m. Kid’s games at Lions Park
• 2 p.m. Kid’s Contest held at Lions Park
• 2-6 p.m. Gunslinger opening for Highway 30