DANVILLE — All of Danville turned out for the annual turkey festival parade on Saturday evening. It was a classically fun small-town parade, with marching bands from Danville and East Knox high schools, the American Legion, baton twirlers, candy everywhere, ponies, hot rods, and children riding orange lawn mowers, accompanied by the Rev. Richard Snoke, priest at St. Luke Catholic Church, smiling and waving from his own mower.
The fun was interrupted briefly when an EKCJFD emergency squad got a call and, sirens blaring, came out of a side street and headed for the open highway. Baton twirlers scattered ahead of it and everyone stood to the side, then — as the squad left town — they closed ranks and the parade began again.
The auction began with the Boy Scouts’ baked goods, the sale which was postponed from Friday night due to a rainstorm.
Auctioneer John “Red” Shaw sold plates of chocolate chip cookies and buckeyes, and cajoled one buyer to pay $100 for a cake. Proceeds benefited the Boy Scouts and will help make it possible for Scouts to go to camp.
The main auction benefited the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District. Among the items were many John Deere miniatures and toys, including a green and yellow pedal tractor set up for picking corn. When the bidding stalled at $285, Shaw asked for a bid of $300. When no one responded, he told the crowd, “I’d much rather own a $300 tractor than one that cost $285.” After a few more minutes, a bid of $300 won the toy.
Also sold were a Danville flag, fishing rods, camp chairs and a tent, toys, a cedar chest for $250 and much more. A Special Operations cap, an Airborne cap and an Airborne flag that sold for $200, were donated to the auction in memory of Danville native son Shamus Goare, who was killed during military service in Afghanistan. His parents, Charlie and Judy Goare, were in the audience and donated many of the toys being auctioned.
The bright orange softball signed by the Lady Devils state championship team was a popular item and drew much attention. Shaw began at $200 and immediately got a bid, which soon went to $275.
“There will only be one like it in the state of Ohio,” said Shaw. “If you want to buy it, give me $300. If you want to bid on it, give me $275.”
Charlie and Judy Goare won the softball with their bid of $300.
The auction raised $4,800 for the EKCJFD.
