September 6, 2007
Heat and Thunderstorms Fail to Dampen Labor Day Spirits in Pioche

By Linda Larson-Butler

This year's Labor Day Celebration proved that not even unseasonably high temperatures and thunderstorms could put a damper on this time honored Pioche tradition. Softball games kicked off the festivities on Friday with eleven teams entered in the tournament this year, their fans and other spectators filling the ballpark late into the evening.

Saturday began with the Masonic Lodge breakfast and the Lincoln Links Golf tournament. People came in record numbers for the breakfast and after enjoying a hearty meal they embarked on the rest of the days events, which included a turkey shoot, kids free movie, craft show, chili cook off, hay scramble and cakewalk, Masonic Lodge/Eastern Star open house, singles horseshoes, chicken chucking, and the firemen's grudge match between the Pioche Volunteer Fire Department and the Caliente Volunteer Fire Department. This jam packed afternoon also featured another unique Pioche fixture for Labor Day, the mining events and even soaring temperatures didn’t prove to be a problem for participants who took their best shot at drilling the deepest hole. A Dutch oven dinner at the Pioche Town Park and the LCHS senior class pie auction offered welcome repast for hungry visitors and residents alike, giving them the necessary energy to shake their booties at the annual street dance. Topping the evening's activities were more ball games and the ever-popular night parade, several floats dressed in their finest lights and gliding through the darkness with neon grace.

The smell of sausages, eggs and pancakes greeted hungry folks early Sunday, again courtesy of the Masonic Lodge, while softball tournament play continued the rest of the morning. The mucking events, another Labor Day staple, took place next, adults and kids alike rolling up their sleeves and “digging into” some fierce competition. Rounding out the afternoon was a golf auction, doubles horseshoe action, and to help cool off, free swimming for kids at the Pioche swimming pool. That evening it was the Firemen's turn to offer dinner, followed by another fantastic performance by Heritage Productions. The night’s final event seemed threatened when a thunderstorm rolled in, but the thunder, lightning and rain that drenched Pioche didn't deter the Volunteer Fire Department from presenting a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the skies with glitter and sparkle, enthralling all who watched.

Monday literally began with a bang, the sunrise salute urging sleepy revelers to wake up and get ready for the last day of festivities. The Mason's final breakfast of the weekend started the day, a 10K fun run keeping the momentum going until the 102nd Annual Labor Day Parade wound down Main Street with a color guard, a drill team, floats, antique cars, marching bands, cheerleaders and clowns making everyone smile and cheer. Children then participated in the kid's games, all of them having a great time and leaving with a distinct jingle in their pockets. The Taco stand provided excellent food for everyone before they left for home. The entire weekend was a complete success that the Pioche Labor Day Committee can be proud of.

Results from the weekends events:

The Pioche Rod and Gun Fun Shoot went off without a hitch, the contestants participating in seven rounds of shooting. Winners are as follows: First round – Matt Elmer; Second round – Will Hobson; Third round youth – Neil Cheeney; Fourth round youth – Garrett Johnson; Fifth round youth – Chase (last name unknown); Sixth round – Will Hobson and the Seventh round final was a 3 shot group and won by Terry Bird.

The Lincoln Links Golf Association Annual “Do it in the Dirt” Golf Tournament had sixty people participate in a 4-man scramble. There were five teams with a total score of 30, with only four of these teams having a birdie – winners were chosen as follows: First Place winners (Pat Kelley, Steven Kelley, Duane Wadsworth & Tyler Wadsworth) birdied #9 which is the hardest hole on the course. Second Place winners (Logan Decker, Lee Decker, Dick Decker & Gene Gerard) birdied #5 which is the next hardest hole. Other birdie winners were awarded a prize. The last place winners came in with a total score of 41 – they were members of one of the visiting softball teams and we only have their first names – Gary, Jason, Mike and Nathan. The Lincoln Links Golf Association would also like to thank everyone for making their auction on Sunday a great success.

The Horseshoes Tournament had a record 52 teams in the doubles category this year and the event organizers would like to thank locals Lynn & Mick Lloyd, Melanie and Murph McBride and Randy Bune from Las Vegas for all their help with the singles and doubles tournament – we couldn’t have done it without you! Here are the results: Saturday’s Singles Class A: Dell O’Connor, Pioche – First place; Gordon Lytle, Eagle Valley – Second place. Singles Class B: Clint Hall, Las Vegas – First place; Tom Gasper, Henderson – Second place. Singles Class C: Ron Miner, Henderson – First place; Scott Engleson, Henderson – Second place. Singles class D: David Gerhardt, Las Vegas – First place; Todd Wright, Pioche – Second place. Sunday’s Doubles Class A: Dell O’Connor, Pioche and Steve Kelley, Las Vegas – First place; Melanie McBride and Riannan Stever, both of Pioche – Second place.

The Mining Events were held on Saturday. The winners for the Layner Drilling event are: First place– Bruce and Jordy Hale; Second place Floyd Burns and Terry Cowley; Third place – Lee Decker and Darren Pikyavit. The winners for the Jackleg Drill event are: First place – Terry Cowley; Second place – Dwayne Cowley; and Third place, Floyd Burns.

The Mucking Events were held on Sunday for kids and adults. Here are the results by age group: 2-3 year-olds: First – Justin Wilcock; Second – Colton Harding; Third – Tanner Wilkin. 4-5 year-olds: First – Hagan Boyce; Second – Kyle Dohnue; Third – Cole Dunning. 6-7 year-olds: First – Josh Canfield; Second – Brynlee Wadsworth; Third – Cambree Kanala. 8-9 year olds: First – Jon Harding; Second – Alan Taylor; Third – McClain O’Connor. 10-11 year olds: First – Anthony Robinson; Second – Issac Jones; Third – Juanita Pikyavit. 12-13 year olds: First – Logan Decker; Second – Garret Johnson; Third – Jason Woodard. 14-17 year olds: First – Randon Wright; Second – Chris Hoolihan; Third – Alexis Anderson. Women: First – Robin Pikyavit; Second – Julie Sorrels; Third – Becca Deen. Men: First – David Rasmusen; Second – Kyle Cox; Third – Patric Lewis

The Pioche I.S.A. Softball Classic fielded the following teams: First – Time 2 Mash (with back to back wins); Second – Pittman Pirates. Other participating teams: B & H; Overland Regulators; Shell Shockers; Juveniles; C.Y.C.; Beans and Crackers; Henderson Scum; Dawgs; Good Fellas

Labor Day Parade entry winners were as follows: Grand Prize – Silver Café; First – Christ Church Episcopal, Pioche; Second – Lincoln Links Golf Association; Family entry winner – Campbell Family; Youth Category: First – Cheerleaders; Second – Boy Scouts. Judge’s Choice: Methodist Church, Caliente

Night Parade entry winners were: People’s Choice – Lincoln County Telephone; First – Wilkin, Kelley, Wadsworth Families; Second – Holy Child Catholic Church.

The Chili Cook-off, which raises money to purchase fishing equipment such as rods, reels and tackle boxes for the Free Fishing Day at Echo Dam State Park, took place on Saturday and the first prize winner this year, Robin Hayes, had the dubious honor of also being the winner of the First Time Cook award! That goes to show you that you don’t have to be a “seasoned” chef to be a big winner. The Awards given were: Best First Time Cook – Robin Hayes; 3rd place – Judy Quadlin of Cedar City; 2nd place – Vickie Bartlett of Las Vegas; 1st place – Robin Hayes of Las Vegas. All the contestants generously donated their winnings back, helping the rangers to raise a grand total of $600.00 for the purchase of fishing equipment, so everyone can fish on the free fishing day.