Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Foul weather fails to foil festival

Rain Friday dampened opening day for the 16th Annual Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Chicken and Egg Festival.

The rains kept the crowds away early, but after the skies cleared, people flocked to Prescott's City Park for the festivities.

The fun began with the Rotary Club's Chicken in the Rough dinner. This fueled festival patrons for the evening's entertainment at the variety show.

While some performers opted to sing from under a tree beside the stage, most chose to climb on the flatbed trailer and do their acts.

Once the entertainment began, the audience, for the most part, remained in the bleachers, listening to the wealth of local talent.

Tennis players worked to clear rain from the courts to get the tennis tournament underway, while teams in the 3-on-3 basketball tourney hit the courts as soon as the rains quit.

Saturday dawned clear and cool, with crowds showing up early for a full day of festival activities.

The first activity for many was the Kiwanis Club's breakfast. The visitors fueled up on eggs, bacon, toast, coffee and orange juice, and needed it to keep going throughout the day.

The tennis courts were full most of the day, as were the basketball courts. Younger children played T-ball on Livingston Field, while the Chicks with Sticks softball tourney was held at McRae Field for the first time. The men's tourney remained at Bemis Field. All had plenty of fans watching.

More than 50 people participated in the 5k run-walk, with the runners completing the 3.1 mile course in a little over 20 minutes. All involved in the 5k, though, got a different perspective of some of Prescott's residential neighborhoods by running or walking instead of driving.

Still, most activities centered around the festival stage, where the audience was treated to its share of laughs in the cackling and crowing contest, along with the hula hoop and jump rope competitions.

Local artists had their wares on display at the Broadway Hotel, where the decorated chickens were kept as well.

Winners were named in the 2003 Chicken Casserole Cook-off, with Ashley Higgenbotham capturing first place with her spicy chicken and spaghetti creation.

Second place went to Naomi Butler for her South of the Border chicken casserole.

Janice Carter was third with a chicken hot dish casserole, while Geraldine Jefferson finished fourth with a hot chicken salad casserole.

BMX fans were treated to feats of aerial skill with the United BMX team out of Texas. These three young men literally put life and limb on the line flying off a ramp, flipping in midair and performing other high-risk stunts.

The festivities concluded with the Little Mister Rooster and Little Miss Hen pageants.

The winner in the 0-11-month category for the Little Miss Hen group was Kendall Sands. First runner up was Sara Cobb, with Abbey Dougan second runner up. Cobb was named best dressed.

For the 12-23-month division, Kaylee Dougan captured the crown, with Erin Jernigan named first runner up and best dressed. Brandi Johnson was second runner up.

In the 24-month to three-year category, Kae Lynn Karlovec was the winner. Breanna Hendrix was first runner up and best dressed, with KK Glover second runner up.

Bailey Yocom won the four and five year old division, and was also named best dressed. Genna Adams was first runner up, while Beth Oexman was second runner up.

Trevor Moseley won the 0-23-month division for the boys, and was also tabbed best dressed. Levi Kidd was first runner up, with Damian Hawthorne second runner up.

In the 24-month to three-year old category, Zachary Edwards took the crown and best dressed award. Colton Norwood was first runner up, with Trey Rucker second runner up.