VERSAILLES — Poultry Days wrapped a successful “Take Me Out to the Poultry Days Festival” despite the weather throwing several curve balls.
The familiar question is, “What was the number of dinners sold?” While the record of 26,101 remains elusive, dinner sales did increase from 24,780 to 25,200. Storms on Friday afternoon and late Sunday put a damper on volume but couldn’t hold the festival back from breaking 2014 numbers. Attendance was so high that after the chicken sold out, many other vendors began selling out of food as well.
The switch to Kissel Brothers Rides and reduced ride prices pulled in large crowds to the midway. The Social Tent saw increased attendance with the expanded seating near the tent.
Grand Parade awards were Junior Civic Award – Versailles Busy Beavers, Senior Civic Award – Minster Oktoberfest, Commercial Award – Midmark, Theme Award – The Winery at Versailles, Queen’s Award – Brilliant Beginnings, Mayor’s Trophy – YMCA of Darke County – Gymnastics Team and Chairman’s Choice – Kaup’s Pharmacy.
The Michigan based “Breasts & Thighs” team won the 34th Annual Poultry Days Ultimate Tournament, their third championship at Poultry Days. Ultimate teams also raised $9,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with their Cool Hand Luke Egg Eating Contest. The winner ate 25 hardboiled eggs and was a member of the Unexpected Fowl team from Texas. Fifty-nine teams competed, including teams from Montana, Texas, and Toronto, Canada.
Registration for the 5K increased to 508 with another 100 participating in the Fun Run. Libby Long, of Covington, won the women’s division for the second consecutive year with a time of 18:22.2, while Kyle Bowman, of Troy, won the men’s division with a time of 16:05.4. Top team finishers were Team Addie Girl, Team YOLO, and Tigers in Training. For more results go to www.yoloorg.com.
The 3rd annual SuperFit winners were LouAnn Henderson, of Wyoming, women’s 45+; John Thiebeau, of Versailles, men’s 45+; Angel Shiverdecker, of Arcanum, women 35-44; Travis Beeson, of Columbus, men 35-44; Brandon Wirrig, of Bradford, men 18-34 (third year in a row); and Matt Kelch, of Versailles, men 25-34.
Cornhole Tournament results were Thomas Braughton, of West Alexandra and Johnny Haworth, of Lewisburg, first; Travis Jess, of Piqua, and Ray Monnin, of Houston, second; and Rob Rodriques, of Versailles, and Jamie Fisherback, of Huber Heights, third.
Best of Show in the photography show went to Ruth McDaniel. Student Best of Show went to Taylor Davis, and the Presidential award went to Noah Sealscott. Other winners were student 12 and Up, Taylor Davis; Photo Journalism, Jeannie Grosch; Architecture, Jeannie Grosch; People, Tiffanie Mora; and Unclassified, Tiffanie Mora.
Winners for the flower show were Leona Monnin, Best of Show, delphinium; Alan Monnin, Best of Show, red rose, Hybrid Tea “Liebensgauber”; Alan Monnin, Best of Show, Artistic Arrangements, “Having a Ball” featuring alliums and a well-used ball glove.
In the Two-on-Two Basketball Tournament: Boys 10-11, 1st, “Takeover” (Jaydon Litten and Layne Sarver), 2nd, “Blue Flames” (Joe Ruhenkamp and Ben Ruhenkamp); Boys 12-13, 1st, “Loramie Elite” (Adam Deweese and Nick Brandewie), 2nd, “Flyin T’s” (Reece Stammen and Issac Barga); Boys 14-17, 1st, “Talls and Smalls” (Kyle Pothast and Carter May), 2nd, “Splash Bros” (Blake Holthous and Mason Dapore); Men 18-30, 1st, “4th Place” (Jacob Wenning and Chad Winner), 2nd, “Thunder Mid Flight” (Justin Ahrens and Ryan Knapke).
Kiddie Tractor Pull: 3-4 Year Olds-1st, Jayden Delancey, of Grove Hill, 2nd, Ryder Brown, of Versailles, 3rd, Damien Whittaker, of Russia; 5-6 Year Olds- 1st, Gavin Breeze, of Versailles, 2nd, Landyn Knapke, of Versailles, 3rd, Kourtney Jenkinson, of Versailles; 7-8 Year Olds- 1st, Owen Demange, of Versailles, 2nd, Cade Bergman, of Yorkshire, 3rd, Andrew Lyons of Versailles.
The best of the show winners in the cake show were Shyanne Oliver (Girls) and Natalie Oliver (Women); Girls Flavored, Kaia Kruckenberg, Chocolate, Madilyn Kelch; Boys, Ben Gehret; Men – Josh Munroe; Sr Women, Leona Monnin; Adult Flavored, Katelyn Goettemoeller.
Best of Show in the egg events were White Eggs, Elana Oliver; Brown Eggs, Edward DeLoye; Unusual Eggs, Kyle Miller; Adult Dyed Egg Art, Mary Miller; Adult Egg Art, Kristy Miller; Youth Dyed Egg Art, Mackenzie Bohman; and Youth Egg Art, Katelyn Delzeith.
The board’s monthly meetings resume in August. For more information go to www.versaillespoultrydays.com.
