Story and photo gallery by By JOHN ANDERSON
The excitement started halfway through the Bolivar Pioneer Oil Days parade on Saturday as the whispers of “this is the biggest parade yet” went up and down Main Street. Hundreds of kids grabbing candy, waving and even catching stuffed animals.
Then another 50 kids were in the parade on bikes. The kids made the parade, but the legends solidified the day.
Rod Biehler of Eldred, Pa., best known for over 50 years on local radio and helping get us through the Flood of 1972 was the MC. His voice is such a welcome home to everyone.
Down the street was another radio legend, Bob Mangels, owner of WJQZ 103.5 FM and AM 790 WLSV and 100.3 WLSV. He was calling the parade as smooth as he calls a baseball game.
There was nothing like seeing the elusive Richburg Bearcat walking in unison with the Bolivar Bulldog. And Kelly Lounsberry, who does so much for the Oil Producers Museum and Hall of Fame was the grand marshal of the parade.
See the slide show of all the floats, people watching the parade and more in this 110 photos:
The weekend started with the “Wall of Fame” inductions, and the Pioneer Oil Days Fireworks Show. There was an Eric Jones sand sculpture as well.
On Saturday was the Legion Auxiliary Breakfast, the Pioneer Oil Days Parade and one of the best chicken BBQ’s in recent memory at the fire hall.
There was also a Pioneer Oil Days Summer Cruise Car Show and a Duck Race under the Main Street bridge. There was a Brothers of the Brush, Beard & Moustache Contest.
Crowds gathered for the live music on Main Street at Generations, there was a BCS – BRCS Alumni Banquet and school tours.
On Sunday, the Class of 2025 graduated from Bolivar-Richburg.
A look at the 2025 Wall of Fame inductees:
A story on Rod Biehler:
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