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Activities included an antique tractor and engine show, a car
show, tractor games, slow races, a kiddie tractor pull, live
entertainment by the Tennessee Borderline Band, a raffle, a meal,
and of course, ice cream.
Kenny Crosier, who has been the fire chief since 2001, said that
money raised from the event goes right back to the community
supporting events such as a town-wide Halloween party and a
Christmas party with a visit from Santa. It also enables the
volunteer department to sponsor youth softball and baseball teams,
donate to proms at Mount Pulaski and Warrensburg Latham schools, and
purchase new rescue equipment. The ice cream social is their biggest
fundraiser, but they also host a chili supper every February.
Though a brief afternoon rain shower sent everyone inside the
building, it did not seem to dampen the spirits of the many
attending, though the Jr. Olympics that was scheduled at the
ballpark had already canceled because of wet fields as swimming was
not one of the events.
The ice cream social is something of a homecoming and reunion for
many in the small town especially now that there is no grade school
there anymore.
As Latham resident Marsha Powell stated, "There is nothing like a
small town."
According to retired Chief Carl Faith, he sees people that he only
sees once a year and the event brings in between 600 and 700 people,
which is about double the size of Latham.
Faith, who was the fire chief for 35 years from 1965-2000, has
been a part of the ice cream socials at least since 1952 when he
played in the jr. high band that would perform there, and says he
has only missed a few ice cream socials. He noted that in 1992, the
event had a fire truck parade to celebrate the department's 50th
year and stated that the department hopes to do another parade in
2017 for the department's 75 year anniversary.
Faith explained that though Latham is not the oldest fire department
in Logan County, they were the first fire protection district in the
county and also one of the first rescue squads. Latham's fire
department assists other departments such as Warrensburg, Mount
Pulaski, Chestnut, and Niantic with big fires, and was even called
upon to assist Lincoln's fire department with the fire at the Oasis
Senior Center in June 2013.
The antique tractor and engine show has been part of the event for
21 years and is organized by the Land of Lincoln Antique Engine &
Tractor Club, a club started by Faith's brother. It is one of the
largest tractor shows in Logan County. This year's show was in honor
of Whitey Harrell, a 47-year-veteran of the fire department.
The tractor games include a chain pull game, a hitch game where they
tried to get close to a tennis ball without knocking it off, and a
slow race, where the slowest tractor wins (usually a tractor with
lower gears). These games brought in participants from various parts
of the United States who have ties to Latham.
In the slow race, which is the main event, Carl Hamilton of Mobile,
Alabama (a former Latham resident), won on his 1959 Farmall 560; in
second place was Eugene Lattenly of Latham on his 1955 International
300; in third place was Kevin Coers of Chestnut on his 1953 Oliver
886; and in fourth place was Bill Stacy of Warrensburg on his 1950
Farmall M.
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Entries in the car show ranged from model T's to antique fire trucks
to a 1952 Chevrolet Sedan police car owned by Don Tate who has
participated in car shows all around Illinois with either the sedan
or his 1964 Mustang, 1965 Impala SS, 1969 Camaro, or 1975 Impala
Bandit Series. This year's best of show winner was Edwin Brazio,
with his 1955 White Chrysler 300.
The kiddie tractor pull had three weight divisions with the children
pulling 0-45 pounds, 46-64 pounds, and 65-80 pounds.
Winners of the 0-45 pound category were Brandon in first place,
Camden in second place, Emma in third place, and Malaki in fourth
place. Winners of the 46-64 pound category were Destinee in first
place, Eston in second place, Aubreyona in third place, and Kazon in
fourth place.
Winners of 65-80 pound category were Angela in first place, Devin in
second place, Derek in third place Derek, and Jackson in fourth
place.
After the Tennessee borderline band played their variety of modern
and classic country, Southern Rock, and Blues hits, the event drew
to a close with an announcement of the winners of the big raffle
prizes.
Jeff Robb of Decatur won first prize, an AKORN Kamado Kooker Grill
Smoker; Lorraine Workman of Latham won second prize, a Cape Cod
Wicker Furniture Set; Owen Perneas of Latham won third prize, an
Emerson 32" LED TV; Barb Freer of Mount Pulaski won fourth prize, a
44K BTU Outdoor Patio Heater; and Blake Smith of Forsythe won fifth
prize, a bag toss outdoor game.
Latham's annual ice cream social provided an afternoon and evening
of family fun and a reunion for many past and present residents of
the area just as it has since it began 66 years ago.
[Angela Reiners] |
