With over 300 people arriving on time for a pancake breakfast Saturday morning, Burns Day was loaded with activities for the whole family.
The first official event took place Friday night with the crowning of Little Mr. and Miss Burns. Brayden and Annabeth took the honors. Juliann and Christopher won the little baby contest. (No last names were used in this contest.)
Saturday dawned and the smell of pancakes wafted down Main Street luring folks to the park for the kids parade and Burns Day parade. Leon Pierce and wife, Cindy, served as co-marshals for the parade which featured antique cars and tractors, farm implements, emergency vehicles and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Dandies.
Following the parade, 33 participants of the first annual Burns Day Car Show lined Main Street vying for the prize of fan favorite. That prize went to the Girmus family of Carpenter who brought their 1949 Willys Jeep. The oldest car at the show, a 1926 Model T Ford owned by Chuck Nelson of Cheyenne, also won a prize. Two cash prize drawings were also awarded to Bill Hinkle of Cheyenne and John Harer of Burns.
"This was the first time for a car show," organizer Clarence Steege said. "I was really, really pleased with the turnout."
Steege said vehicles from Burns, Albin, Carpenter, Cheyenne, Pine Bluffs, and Kimball were entered in the show.
Cheyenne’s Hands in Harmony took up a portion of Main Street after the noon hour to perform for an appreciative group of spectators. The group sign sang songs about America, representing many states, walks of life and eras.
Later in the afternoon the Burns Day Horseshoe Tournament took place. First place went to Brian Spoon and Brian Andreas; second to Cody Bolejack and Shane Wicks and third to Jim Archer and Eric Meizger.
A storm blew in late in the afternoon but did not stop the Y Bar 4 Band from taking the stage for a street dance in the evening. The band covered country and rock favorites.
New mayor Phil Oakes was pleased with the day’s events.
"I want to thank everyone who participated," he said. "We had some challenges, learned some things, and will apply them next year to make it even better."
Oakes added he thought organizers did a "great job. I was four days into my term and it was all handled."
