There were record numbers of participants in many of the contests. For example, the Bubble Gum Contest on Friday afternoon usually draws two dozen entries. This year, there were ten to 15 kids in each category, and several in the adult division.

Numbers were up Domestic Arts Show, and the Prince & Princess Contest was filled within the first nine days after it was announced. Another ten to 12 children were turned down after the contest filled! The Talent Show had 29 acts and took over two hours on Saturday!

The Farmers Market hosted a free pork burger, chips and watermelon meal, and a Flower Bucket Contest for Thursday afternoon to get things rolling for Farmers Day. A sudden thunderstorm didn’t stop the Pork Producers from cooking those burgers, though. When the skies cleared and the rain disappeared, they were ready and served dozens of hungry people.

Although the entries for the first ever Flower Bucket Contest were low in number, they were beautiful. Organizers for next year already have some ideas to improve the contest, so watch for those details next time.

The Children’s Parade always draws a large crowd, and led everyone down the street to the Carnival midway, where kids rode all the great rides all night on a special wristband rate. Carter Studebaker and Rachel Clayberg won the titles of Farmers Day 2008 Prince & Princess.

Teens and lots of adults crowded into the pavilion after the contest to see local band “Fearless Overstreet” perform.

The beer garden held a Thursday night special — just $1.50 per glass.

When the Celebration Iowa Singers & Jazz Band hit town on Friday, the crowds turned out once more, even though the day was hot, hot, hot and muggy. The Pavilion was crowded, which is always good because everyone ate a lot of brats, hot dogs, funnel cakes and donuts, popcorn and ice cream.

The popular band Lockren took over the stage Friday night; by then the sun had gone down, the temperature dropped and a nice breeze made the pavilion the perfect place to be.

An early morning storm on Saturday (about 1:30 AM) - complete with heavy rain and high winds - kept Farmers Day organizers on their toes. But everything was ready for Saturday’s events.

Once again the skies cleared, and Farmers Day had a perfect day for everything in the park. Lines of people were ready for food at the Boy Scout, FCCLA, Lions Club and St. A food booths. Donna Chapel entertained in the pavilion, Kathy Ogden and Jim Sieck were in the Gazebo. The chainsaw artist fascinated everyone with his skills, and the Cricket Hollow Petting Zoo brought a large number of animals to the park for children to enjoy.

The rides were in full gear while the Pavilion events took place. Farmers Day Tractor Pull was a success once again and Children’s Games drew big numbers, as did the Children’s Pedal Tractor Pull. The announcement of the Parade Winners led into the ever-popular Melodrama Saturday night, which was a wonderful and funny musical this year.

Milk & Honey took the stage as the last event of Farmers Day 2008.

“Good Things” did come to Jesup this year. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2009, and in 2010 when Jesup will celebrate its 150th birthday.

Submit your family history now

A new Jesup history book will be published in the near future for Jesup’s Sesquicentennial (150th) celebration in 2010. The book will be titled “A Community Tapestry Continues.”

If you did not submit a family history for the first history book in 1985, “A Community Tapestry,” now is your chance to do so.

If you would like to update the family history for our new history book, you can also do that. Simply begin where your previous history left off. The new book will reference the previous book for updated family histories.

Everyone who feels Jesup is their home is eligible to have their family history in the book.

This includes children who grew up in Jesup, but who have moved away and live with their families in other towns, states or countries.

Family pictures may also be submitted. Bring them or send them to the Citizen Herald to be scanned. If you do not have a family portrait, call Reflections at 319-827-1128 and ask for the Sesquicentennial Special to receive a free portrait session.

What to include

Your family history may include historical information, such as birth dates and places, marriage dates and places, education, employment or business information. Also children’s names, birth years, education, employment, where they live and their families can be listed. Please include Jesup-related facts: phrases like “All my children were Jesup High School graduates” are appropriate.

Be sure to include contact information such as your name and address, a telephone number and e-mail address.

You can submit online

Family histories can be dropped at the Citizen Herald office at 930 6th Street, mailed to the Citizen Herald at P.O. Box 545, Jesup, IA 50648, or submitted online.

Get together with your family now and get busy on that history!