Summer fun invades Holmesville for annual homecoming parade
"These small community events are made for people to get together and just have a good time," said Prairie Township Fire Chief Mose Yoder. "You come to this and everywhere you look you see people you know but don't always get a chance to talk to. This also gives us as a department as chance to say thank you to all of the community supporters, tax payers and families who have stood behind us all these years and supported us. Without all of them, we would be nowhere, and this is our chance to say thanks to them."
It's also a great opportunity for the community members to offer up a word of gratitude to the department volunteers, who serve their community faithfully.
The day began on the Holmesville Elementary baseball field, where a lively softball tournament ushered in the event and took it home. The day included all kinds of games for the kids, a raffle, auction, live musical entertainment, a dunking booth, the chicken dinner and a parade at 4 p.m. which included a number of fire department vehicles from Prairie Township and other surrounding townships.
"It was a great day, and we were really pleased with the turnout," said Yoder. "We had a super day, and a great crowd, and that always makes for a special day overall."
On the main stage at 5 p.m., following the grand parade, department member Dean Wolboldt was busy crowning Ivan and Fannie Hershberger as Holmesville Citizens of the Year. Holmesville is one of the few remaining small towns that continues to name a citizen of the year, a time-honored tradition that has been going on for decades.
Ivan began serving on the fire department in 1982, and served 10 years, the last few as the assistant fire chief. After he retired from that, he remained involved in the department's fundraising efforts, and has overseen the chicken barbecue at the festival ever since. Fannie has also lent a hand, working diligently in the kitchen during the event.
"Ivan could have walked away from the department after he retired, and he would have had every right to because many people do, but that isn't him," said Wolboldt. "These two just love to help others, no matter what the situation is. It's pretty tough to find people like that in the world today."
In 1995, when the American Red Cross Bloodmobile began making regular stops in Holmesville, the Hershbergers became instrumental in that, volunteering their time to serve as coordinators, helping to register donors and direct them in where to go. They are also active in their church, and have befriended many of the local people from and around the Holmesville area.
As the two accepted the award, they did not seem overly comfortable standing there in front of a large crowd of people. But Wolboldt said that is what makes them who they are, and it was part of the reason they were chosen for the award by a committee.
"I told Ivan that his life is pretty simple, and he doesn't enjoy being the center of attention, but if you're really comfortable in that kind of situation, and in receiving that award, then you probably don't deserve it. Ivan and Fannie's focus has always been on serving others, and that is what makes them happy. That's why this award was so deserving."
Published: August 31, 2010
