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PHOTOS: Black Diamond Days Parade
The 36th Annual Black Diamond Days parade was the highlight of the festival for many folks as over 1,000 people lined the parade route Sunday afternoon. The parade featured an expanded lineup and lasted nearly an hour despite temperatures reaching 90 degrees. Parade judges had the difficult task to award three entries with the first, second and third place award.
1st Place: First National Bank of Benld
2nd Place: Fireproof Christian Band from United Methodist Church in Gillespie
3rd Place: Kravanya Funeral Home
First National Bank recognized veterans by building a patriotic float.
Fireproof from the United Methodist Church in Gillespie played a variety of Christian music during the parade.
The 7th grade Gillespie Indians basketball team who won the state championship earlier this year received many standing ovations during the parade Sunday afternoon. The team piled in Kravanya Funeral Home’s float.
The Shriners buzzed along in their tiny black cars Sunday afternoon.
A pair of women distribute treats to the crowd from the rear of an ambulance from the Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service.
Jenni Alepra with United Community Bank in Gillespie tosses out a handful of candy to a group of people. The bank also passed out green beaded necklaces.
Austin Semplowski tosses candy to the crowd while driving a truck for Victory Lane Ford.
Miss Black Diamond Days Emily Harszy waves to the camera with Mini Miner Bryce Stoecker by her side.
Adam Tallman as agent for Farmers Insurance gives a handful of candy to a young kid in the crowd.
The local girl scout troop tossed candy and distributed information.
The color guard leads the parade with the American flag and State flag with Boy Scout Troop 51 following behind.
Walkers with Hicks Maytag and Home Appliance Center in Gillespie unleashed buckets full of candy to the parade crowd.
The Waterloo German Band is always a crowd favorite. The small group played plays German waltzes, polkas and fox trots.
Thousands of people lined the parade route for the 36th annual Black Diamond Days parade.
A youngster riding in the back of one of Dorchester’s older model fire trucks throws a handful of suckers out.
A sandwich mascot branded with a Subway logo was a popular kid sighting.
State Senator Andy Manar and the Macoupin County Democrats greeted the crowd and distributed candy.
A group of people riding on an old model fire truck from Benld wave to the crowd.
Chloe Segarra and the Illinois Elite traveling softball team had a fun time while tossing candy to the crowd.
The Gillespie marching band is bigger than it ever has been before. The band continues to grow under the direction of Zach Simon.
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Photo by Sara Way
Nineteen young girls are vying for the title of 2018 Little Miss Macoupin County Fair. The pageant will take place on Wednesday June 27 at 7 p.m.
Front row from left to right: Avielle Spudich daughter of Derek & Heather Spudich of Staunton, Elleighna Burgess daughter of Jason & Amanda Burgess of Girard, Kinze Haulk daughter of Matt & Jessie Haulk of Carlinville, Addyson Gulley daughter of Nathan & Nichole Narup & Ross Gulley of Staunton, Lydia Lowry daughter of Kyle & Deanna Lowry of Gillespie, Brooklyn Wood daughter of Chris & Becca Wood of Brighton, Shaylee Cooper daughter of William Cooper of Benld, Jenna Barger daughter of Sarah Lake & Brian Breeden of Virden, and Sylvie Motsinger daughter of Alex & Rachel Motsinger of Brighton.
Back row from left to right: Ashleynn Gooding daughter of Danika Pratt of Carlinville, Claire Vinyard daughter of BJ & Ashley Vinyard of Carlinville, Molly Carriker daughter of Brad & Amber Carriker of Carlinville, Brynlee Clevenger daughter of Jasen & Lauren Clevenger of Hettick, Lidiya Ribble daughter of Dusty & Kara Ribble of Hettick, Saylor Nicholson daughter of Steve & Katie Nicholson of Carlinville, Taylor Harding daughter of Krissy & Sam Harding of Carlinville, Shelby Lehman daughter of April Twin & Larry Lehman of Gillespie, Jaydin Laurent daughter of Matyka Inman & Steven Laurent, and Madalyn Beasley daughter of Alex Beasley & Ashli Bell of Shipman.
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Meet this year’s candidates vying for the title of 2018 Miss Black Diamond Days and 2018 Junior Miss Black Diamond Days. The pageant will take place on Friday, June 1 in the Ben-Gil Elementary School gymnasium starting at 6 p.m. and crowning this year’s royalty will be 2017 royalty Maya Marcacci and Chloe Hedrick. Advance tickets are available at United Community Bank, Dee-Dee’s Designs, Accents, or from any contestant.
Photos provided by Halpin Photography.
2017 RETIRING QUEENS
MISS CANDIDATES
JUNIOR MISS CANDIDATES
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Over 120 students at Gillespie High School enjoyed great weather Saturday evening as they walked into this year’s prom, themed “Black and White Ball”. Walk-ins took place from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m. immediately followed by coronation where Chase Odell-Mueller and Mackenzie Kasarda were named 2018 King and Queen.
Prom endured until 11 p.m. and then post prom was available to the students.
Kylee Hardt & Zane Remer
Deyon Wolber & Owen Parker
Alexander Everland & Nichole Seymour
Christina Fischer & Colin Caveny
Kendra Cherry, Kelsey Farris & Serena Bertolis
Tara Fullington & Jacob Will
Angel Winchester
Chris Pane & Jocelyn Drummond
Hannah Trumpy & Patrick Muir
Hayle Brennan & Taylor VanHuss
Ryan Sellers & Maya Marcacci
Austin Cooper & Ally Clay
Cassie Clark & Ryan Montine
Mackenzie Kasarda & Gabe Tesio
Cara Reid & Jerod Brown
Abbie Barber & Dakota Throne
Hannah Labby & Drake Ruckman
Alexis Plunkett & Tessa Watson
Courtney Besserman & Lauren Christer
Curtis Shalk & Emily Campbell
(L-R): Blaine Fritz, Trae Hall, Grant Stinnett, Chase Odell Mueller, Mackenzie Kasarda, Macie Halpin, Makayla Coss, & Ally Clay
Tyler Bonser & Lizzy Koniak
Marria Middleton & Colby Waugh
Macie Halpin & Grant Stinnet
Ruby Savant & Mark Cunningham
Adam Reid
Brendon Lovsey
Kayla Spencer & Trae Hall
Grace Bertolino & Blane Fritz
Monique Garret & Ben Polo
Sarah Crook & Nick Willis
Makayla Coss & Zach Reiman
Bianca Robertson & Collin Johnson
Lindsey Stocker & Dominic Bates
Breanna Mull & Brian Sellers
Karli Carr & Tom Johnson
Sydney Henricks & Joey Carter
Keeton Link & Rylee Bernot
Juliann Hendricks & Chance Reiniesch
Rylee Sarti & Anthony Kravanya
Olivia VanDoren & Austin Mitchell
Hadley Hardin & Chase Odell-Mueller
Tavin Force & Gavin Bertoldi
Tori Roach & Olive Shuutz
Jaiden Braundmeier & Adam Boeck
Rylee Jarman & Trenton Segarra
Makayla Hayes & Nick Spencer
Madolyn Wyatt & Marshall Hatlee
Megan Bray & Billy Gill
Grace Martin & Mackenzie Mix
Ashley Gipson & Colin Tyler
Lexie Bussmann & Dominic Maykopet
Hailegh Rife & Cole Farris
Paige Niemeyer & Nick Wyatt
Lindsey Miller & Kennen Bertolis
Jason Hartke, Will Bertetto & John Wyatt
Tessa Davis & Jack Jarman
Callie Reynolds & Blake Hammon
Ashley Gotway & Mason Campbell
Liz Dozier & Mason Barber
Madi Hedrick & Trevor Fredericks
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