Byron News: Join the Byron Days celebration this weekend

These community celebrations have been going on since enough people settled our area and thought, “Hey, we should do a parade.” At first, all three communities celebrated together. It seems to be what we do. Gather, create some fun and cheer each other on. Lovell kicks the summer off with their many attractions, and then it is Byron’s turn, followed by Cowley Pioneer Day.

The small town flavor is unique. Everyone loves a parade no matter how big or small. A crowd will gather to clap encouragement for the walkers, the dancers, the horse riders, those following the horse riders and float sitters. I kinda miss the pretty satin, glitter and fancy floats. 

I remember the days of stuffing chicken wire with colored napkins to replicate the flowers of the famous Rose Parade. The more “stuffers” we had the more carried away we could get and would cover a lot of chicken wire pretty fast. Some could get pretty creative with paper mache. There is a paper mache eagle head on display at the Byron Museum. It was formed over a football helmet and was worn by our mascot at games for a few years.

There are always the classes that gather to renew friendships and reminisce while “floating” down Main Street. This year the Byron alumni will be gathering on Saturday eve, July 11, for dinner at Town Hall. The museum will be open, and it is fun to flip through the old yearbook photos of yesteryear. Registration begins at 5:30. 

Our numbers seem to be slipping downward every year as some of our Eagles have flown on. My mother, Dorothy Beall Cozzens, graduated from Lovell High School in 1928. I remember helping her host her 70th class reunion. There were 11 that attended. She attempted to gather them for a 75th gathering, but although there were still some that were around the area, they were not able to attend. Getting older is inevitable, but knowing that does not make it easier to see those “kids” from the ‘70s and ‘80s looking a bit over the hill, not the big hill, just the small hill that happens in your 40s and 50s. Nevertheless, kudos to those that still have their old school spirit and gather to remember.

We will start off our festivities in Byron with a Family Fun Night at the city park. Our food truck vendors will be open. This year we have the most we have had, with 16 vendors offering a variety of food and drink. We will need those frosty drinks with the temperature climb that is supposed to take place. The waterslides will be a popular feature to cool off. 

There are a variety of games, Carl Jones miniature pony and mules rides and an actual locomotive train ride. Curtis Abraham will be the engineer, setting up his track and trains for the kids to enjoy. Lots of other games and prizes will be going on. Two dollars per person gets access to all of the fun. A teen dance will take place after the family fun. Mike Bernard will be there to DJ, and the food trucks will be staying open. 

Then wake up to be part of the 5K color run. Wear your white T-shirt if you want to end up with the tie dye look. It starts at 7 a.m. The parade starts at 10 a.m., followed by lunch at the park. Vendors will be open until way late, and Bucky the one man band will be performing as well as others to entertain you. 

Then the big shebang. The Tinderwoods will be performing from 8 p.m. until the fireworks. Be prepared for the best fireworks to celebrate our America 250th anniversary. See you at the fireworks squares. Squares can seat 20; they are going fast. To sign up for parade entry, squares, T-shirts, etc. go to Byrondayswy.com.