Dandelion Daze heats up Friday, Saturday in Holyoke

Holyoke Chamber of Commerce’s 21st annual Dandelion Daze offered a full schedule of activities for all ages Friday evening, June 17, at Homesteaders Park and Saturday, June 18, at the Phillips County Court House square.

High winds and temps hovering around 100 F didn’t keep community members from enjoying a car show, cornhole tourney and more.

Friday’s Party in the Park included a pulled pork sandwich meal served by Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department and ice cream dished out by the chamber’s Lickety Split ice cream truck.

Dance Fuzion participants entertained the crowd with an “Encanto” dance after a one-day workshop.

Cornhole competition heated up in the beer garden, and Team Wes and Randy came away the winners.

Saturday’s events started bright and early with citywide garage sales and the Dandelion Dash 5K/family fun 1 mile.

Dylan Stern had the fastest overall time in the 5K and also took first in the male 25 years and under category. Also in that division, Mason Sprague took second, and Parker Pfleiger was third. Kristin Vieselmeyer won the 25 and under female category, followed by Emily Jelden and Anna Jelden.

Steven Ortner took first in the male 26 and up division. Alan Sprague was second, and Tim Hahn third. The top runner in the female 26 and up group was Paige Kelly, followed by Erin Carper and Michelle Vieselmeyer.

In addition to the race, Holyoke Fitness Club coordinated a bike/scooter parade around the courthouse square Saturday morning.

Vendors, booths and kids activities dotted the courthouse lawn alongside classic cars and motorcycles. Car show winners were announced Saturday afternoon.

The winner of the Top Gun award was Jodie Brown and his 1956 Ford Thunderbird.

The People’s Choice award went to Teresa Brown for her 1979 Chevy Camaro.

This year’s top bike honor was awarded to Dale Ruch and his 2020 Can-Am.

Rodders who made the top 15 list included, in no particular order, Larry Krier, 1955 GMC pickup; Gary Krier, 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air; Bob DeBoer, 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle; Dennis Woodruff, 1977 Chevy K10; Ken Hodges, 1998 Chevrolet Corvette; Russ Lambert, 1971 Chevy Camaro RS/SS; Steve Terryberry, 1964 Pontiac GTO; Leroy Musick, 1941 Mercury; Doug Gaswick, 1956 Ford F100; Kent Kilferty, 1970 Dodge Dart and 2020 Chevy Camaro; Don Timmons, 1957 Chevy Sedan; Elon Nelson, 1965 Ford Mustang; Walt Heintz, 2018 Ford; and Dean Fetzer, 1967 Chevelle Malibu.

In the Holy Smokes Light and Chrome Show, Mark Vaughn won the best of show working truck class with a 2008 Peterbilt 389. Terry Donald’s 1984 Peterbilt 389 won best of show farm truck class, and Ozzie Torres won best of show in the show truck class with his 1984 Peterbilt 359.

Koby Way’s 2007 Peterbilt 379 earned him the Holy Smokes That’s a Cool Truck award and best of show overall.

At the conclusion of the car, bike and truck shows, participants cruised down Holyoke’s Interocean Avenue.

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.