Forecast could not stop Olney DaysOlney Days, a three-day event designed to bring residents and businesses together to celebrate the sense of community and revel in Olney’s small-town feel, went off as scheduled. ‘‘I officially declare this weekend a success,” event organizer Helene Rosenheim said.
After competing in tasks ranging from wrapping a gift to dressing a child in winter clothes, Patrick McGary and Molly Yankanich earned the titles of Mr. and Ms. Olney.
The royal couple appeared in Sunday’s parade wearing their royal garb.
A brief, yet touching ceremony took place before the ride, where names were read and balloons released for each child, including one for the students who died during the April slayings at Virginia Tech.
‘‘The families of Joe’s Ride have all shared in the pain of having lost our children — a pain that never goes away,” said Betsy Sanford, mother of Joe. ‘‘Instead, we learn to live with the pain and it becomes a part of who we are. We have loved our children so deeply that we cannot help but to grieve just as deeply for them. However, by having the love and support of our family, our friends and this wonderful community, it has helped to carry us through.”
‘‘The threat of rain probably cut down some of the crowds at the park, but I heard nothing but praise from the people I have talked to,” Rosenheim said.
Children enjoyed carnival games, fire engine rides and musical entertainment, while others competed in the homerun derby and always-popular food-eating contests. An outdoor dance floor provided the perfect setting for swing dancing, with live music provided by the Olney Big Band and the Olney Community Band.
The clouds returned Sunday morning, but that did not stop owners from putting their cars on display at Fletcher’s Car and Truck Show.
‘‘We had 65 cars, which was an excellent turnout,” Bob Fletcher said.
By the afternoon, the sun came out just as parade-watchers set up their chairs and blankets along the parade route.
The parade was the epitome of a small-town parade, complete with scout troops, a local high school marching band, and a float carrying Sherwood Cluster school principals.
Rosenheim said all of the events went very well.
‘‘The people that organize these events did an amazing job,” she said. ‘‘I am always amazed at how it all comes together.”
Rosenheim said that as the community grows, it is more important than ever to carry on such traditions.
‘‘There are so many new people who don’t really know the history of Olney,” she said. ‘‘We need to continue to have things to build a sense of community.”
Rosenheim said Olney Days will return next year, May 16-18.
Olney Days Parade winners
Best of Parade: St. Peter’s Girl Scout Troop 5558.
Marching Units: Our Lady of Good Counsel Marching Band, first place; Wheaton Majorettes, second place; and Olney Studio of Dance, third place.
Motorized Units: Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department, first place; Olney Library, second place; and Mercantile Potomac Bank, third place.
Float Units: Cub Scout Pack 1074, first place; American Coed Pageant Maryland State Queens, second place; and Friends of the Oakley Cabin and the Underground Railroad, third place.
Youth Units: The Hurley School of Irish Dancing, first place; The Little Gym of Olney, second place; and Brownie Troops 712, 1263 and 1292, third place.
Best Antique Vehicle: 1903 Oldsmobile, owner⁄driver Bob Geier.
And the winners are:
Mr. and Ms. Olney — Patrick McGary and Molly Yankanich, first place; and Mark Friedman and Lisa Martin, runners-up.
Mama Lucia Pasta Eating Contest: Santhi Siarkas, 10, junior division (ages 8-14); and Jim Lippy, 41, adult division (15 and older).
Cold Stone Ice Cream Eating Contest: Charlie Siarkas, 8, pee wee division (ages 6-9); and John Hack, 10, junior division (ages 10-14).
Good Earth Watermelon Eating Contest: Andrew Markos, 7, peewee division (ages 6-9); Paul Contorno, 11, junior division (ages 10-14); and Avi Pesach, 46, adult division (15 and older).
Good Earth Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest: Madeline Matthews, 8, peewee (ages 6-9); Antonio Pino, 11, junior division (ages 10-14); and Mark Friedman, adult division (15 and older).
Dream Dinners Build a Cup of Worms Dessert Contest: Charlie Siarkas, 8, pee wee (ages 8-10).
Homerun Derby: Payton Welch, 6, girls 6 and under; and Allie Pino, 9, girls 7-9; Kate Lipman, 10, girls ages 10-12; Katie Walsh, 14, girls ages 13-15; Jill Messick, women ages 19-29; Molly Yankanich, women ages 30 and older; Samuel Contorno, 6, boys 6 and under; Jake Paholski, 9, boys 7-9; Michael Rach, 12, boys 10-12; Victor Mercogliano, 13, boys 12-15; Josh Witt, 16, boys 16-18; Will Paul, 19, men 19-29; and Art Paholski, 47, men 30 and older.
Fletcher’s Service Center 12th annual Car Show: 1932 Chrysler C1-6 Coupe, Greg and Nancy Cox, Pre-War division; Bill Herndon, 1963 Ford Galaxie, Post-War division; Bill Fowler, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, Modified division; Bill Hocker, 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, People’s Choice; and Bill and Jackie Carey, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS, Best of Show.
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