First Second Friday event in Mt. Pulaski a great start for the season

 

[May 12, 2024] 

Friday, May 10, the Community Association of Mt. Pulaski, along with the City of Mt. Pulaski, hosted this year’s first Second Friday on the Square in Mt. Pulaski from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. This month’s theme was Spring Flowers and Mother’s Day and there were activities for all ages. The beautiful weather brought out many people.

At 5 p.m., Mt. Pulaski resident and member of the Community Association of Mt Pulaski, Michelle Hagenbuch welcomed everyone to the event. She then introduced the staff of Rise Broadband, who had a ribbon cutting ceremony.

For the past few months, Rise Broadband has been providing high speed internet in Mt. Pulaski, Latham and many surrounding areas. The company offers broadband coverage in areas that were previously unserved or underserved. Their website says Rise Broadband is the “nation’s largest fixed wireless broadband service provided, delivering high-speed internet and digital voice services to residential and commercial customers across 16 states.”

Rise Broadband’s Field Marketing Manager Michael Marti said they provide fiber optic internet in town and wireless internet in the area. He said their business was giving away cool raffle prizes.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the vendor market was open.

Vendors included handmade crafters selling tie dye outfits and jewelry. Other vendors were selling collectibles, dreamcatchers, boutique apparel, bougie pens, Shellz Suds, Usborne Books, smash dried candy, locally sourced honey, Vidalia onions, car freshies and plants and flowers. Businesses with tents set up included Rise Broadband, Leaf Filter Gutter Protection and T Mobile.

In addition, several local businesses, including restaurants and bars were open.

The live entertainment began with a Karaoke Contest at 5 p.m. Both adults and children participated singing a variety of music.

Josh Holland took the stage at 7 p.m. His music was sponsored by the Mt. Pulaski Economic Development Planning Board.

From 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., children could enjoy jumping in a bounce house sponsored by Rise Broadband.

There were also yard games for all ages, including a giant Connect 4, checkers, tic-tac-toe, and giant Jenga at the Longview Community Bank tent. Other games included a bean bag toss and cornhole. A balloon artist made a variety of animals, superheroes, and video game characters by request.

Market on the Hill hosted a cooking contest with judging beginning at 6:15 p.m. The entrants baked cupcakes and/or cakes at home, then brought them in to be judged.

Food trucks included Tacos Xochimilco, Cheesed Out, Kona Ice, Beck’s Taffy and Concessions, and We Three Sweets. The boy scouts set up a tent and sold hot dogs and chips.

With quesadillas, tacos, pulled pork nachos, pulled pork parfaits, smashburgers, hotdogs, corndogs, slushies and sugar floss being offered by the various food vendors, there was plenty to satisfy many palates.

At the Logan County Visitors Welcome Center, an Abraham Lincoln quilt was displayed in the window. It will be raffled off at some point.

For just a few dollars, those who enjoy creating could make their own flower bouquet with roses or other flowers.

At the Community Association of Mt. Pulaski tent, children could make a flower craft. People could also purchase tickets for a chance to win a Mother’s Day Basket, which was a fundraiser for a special event at Mt. Pulaski’s Fall Festival in September.

On another side of the square was a carriage recently restored by John Parr of Parr Farms. Parr purchased the Velie carriage in April 2023 at the Pauline closeout sale. It was previously owned by Joe Powley of Easton, Illinois.

Soon after Parr bought the carriage, he began restoring it. Parr said by July 20, 2023, the carriage was transportable. By August, Parr was able to get new upholstery work done by Bobby Fry of Lincoln.

After looking online this past winter, Parr was able to find carriage lights from the era the carriage was made in. Parr said Velie carriages were only made from 1902 to 1907 and the lights he found online were made during this time period.

On the pleasantly warm evening, Second Friday on the Square provided a family fun filled night with something for people of all ages.

[Angela Reiners]