Published: August 21, 2008 11:42 am            

Cowden Pioneer Days

COWDEN — Cowden Pioneer Days are set for Friday, Aug. 22, through Sunday, Aug. 24, at Cowden Village Park.

On stage during the festival will be Matt Poss & Rolling Thunder, Cowden Covered Bridge Band, Wes Wheeler & Battle Creek Band, Arthur Ford & Country Plus, Misdemeanor Band with Steve Seaton, Joe Wheat Karaoke, Morgan Entertainers and Hometown Gospel Music.

New this year will be an arm wrestling competition at 10 a.m. Saturday with different weight classes. For additional information, call 217-343-0154 or 217-306-1031.

Wooten Rodeo competitions will take place Friday and Saturday evenings.

In addition, a number of events are planned for the three-day festival, including:

• Carnival runs Friday and Saturday.

• Pioneer Village is open all three days of the festival and features old-time displays, quilts and crafts.

• Flea market, arts and crafts and Indian village display all three days of the festival.

The scheduled activities include:



Friday, Aug. 22

• Noon to 10 p.m. — Sandwiches served.

• 3:30 to 5 p.m. — Senior citizens program, crowning of Senior King & Queen and drawing for senior citizens’ prizes.

• 4:30 to 8 p.m. — Supper served, featuring all-you-can-eat fried fish, shrimp and chicken strips.

• 5:30 p.m. — Crowning of Pioneers Day royalty.

• 6 p.m. — Baby contest, with baby swimwear competition.

• 6 to 8 p.m. — Cowden Covered Bridge Band.

• 7 to 10 p.m. — Bingo.

• 8 p.m. — Wooten Rodeo, IPRA-sanctioned. Reserved seats are $10 for all ages, general admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 5 to 11. 217-783-6321.

• 8 to 11 p.m. — Wes Wheeler & Battle Creek, country rock band.



Saturday, Aug. 23

• 6 a.m. — Breakfast served.

• 8 a.m. — 5K walk/run and 1-mile fun run. 618-428-5805.

• 10 a.m. — Big parade uptown, with floats, clowns, bands, etc. 217-783-2444.

• 10 a.m. to noon — Arm wrestling tournament registration and weigh-in. 217-343-0154 or 217-306-1031.

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Dinner served, featuring fried chicken and pulled pork.

• 1 p.m. — Children’s games.

• 1 to 2:30 p.m. — Karaoke talent contest with Joe Wheat Karaoke.

• 2 to 5 p.m. — Bingo.

• 2:15 p.m. — “Mini” Minnie, 7-year-old Allison England.

• 3 p.m. — Pearcy’s Tae Kwon Do demonstration.

• 3 to 5 p.m. — Arthur Ford & Country Plus.

• 5 to 6 p.m. — Not-So Beauty Contest, men dressed up as ladies.

• 5 to 8 p.m. — Supper served, fried chicken and pork.

• 6 to 8 p.m. — Misdemeanor with Steve Seaton.

• 7 to 10 p.m. — Bingo.

• 8 p.m. — Wooten Rodeo, IPRA-sanctioned, Ghost Riders perform at intermission.

• 8 to 11 p.m. — Matt Poss & Rolling Thunder.

• 9 p.m. — Pearcy’s Tae Kwon Do demontration.



Sunday, Aug. 24

• 6 a.m. — Breakfast served, biscuits & gravy, juice and coffee.

• 10:30 a.m. — Union Church service at Tabernacle Free Methodist Church grounds next to the park.

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Dinner served, featuring fried chicken and ham.

• 1 p.m. — Ranch Rodeo.

• 1 p.m. — Pioneer Redneck Olympics.

• 1 to 3 p.m. — Morgan Entertainers.

• 2 to 4 p.m. — Bingo.

• 3 to 4 p.m. — Hometown gospel music.

• 4 p.m. — Drawing.