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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.
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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]
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