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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2017)
WEDNESDAY August 16, 2017 LeDoux riles up county fair crowds Show draws people from all corners of the county By Rylan Boggs Blue Mountain Eagle The Eagle/Rylan Boggs Ned LeDoux grins out at the crowd during the Grant County Fair on Friday, Aug. 11. Ned LeDoux played long into the night at the Grant County Fair to the enjoyment of a rambunc- tious Friday-night crowd. Many a beer bottle was raised in cheers during Le- Doux’s regular breaks between his songs when he espoused the virtues of rural America and the hardworking people who live there. LeDoux played a handful of his own songs as well as covers of his father Chris LeDoux’s tracks. After breaking a guitar string, LeDoux took a brief break and let the rest of the band, Western Underground, take charge. The group includ- ed musicians who played and toured with LeDoux’s father. LeDoux was born into a musical family and recently re- leased his fi rst album, “Forever a Cowboy.” He said he is working See LEDOUX, Page B12 The Eagle/Rylan Boggs Ned LeDoux reaches out to touch the crowd during the Grant County Fair on Friday, Aug. 11. Cowpokes and superheroes join in Kids Day Parade Kids enjoy sweet treat for participation By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle UNBEAT-A-BULL The Eagle/Rylan Boggs Justin Josey avoids a bull during a bullfight at the Grant County Fair on Saturday, Aug. 12. Bullfighters risk life and limb for entertainment By Rylan Boggs Blue Mountain Eagle The grandstands were absolutely packed for this year’s freestyle bullfi ght at the Grant County Fair on Saturday night. Mud, hats and cowboys fl ew as bull- fi ghters tried to stylishly avoid being gored by the massive animals. Their attempts at evasion met with various degrees of success, but ulti- mately Justin Josey won the $1,500 grand prize. This is Josey’s second year in a row winning the event. Despite the danger of the sport, there were no serious injuries at this year’s fi ght. James Hankinson, in his fourth year bullfi ghting, said there’s nothing like it. “I can’t even explain it. It’s the most natural addicting drug that you could ever do,” he said. “When you’re right there on their head and you have them right there in your back pocket and you’re stepping around them, it’s a re- ally intimate feeling. You’re on top of the world.” Cowpokes, superheroes and kids dressed in their red, white and blue fi nest made their way down John Day’s Main Street on Friday for the Grant County Fair Kids Day Parade. A total of 20 children par- ticipated, along with parents and grandparents, in the event . All the kids received free Dairy Queen treats. Several earned blue ribbons, including Brook and Brett Bur- ril and Coyle and Beau Van Cleave in Group One and Kara, Riley and Wyatt Hansen and Azadae and Mordecai Soupir in Group Two. Sky Jisha and her dog Tia won fi rst place in the Costumed Individuals division. For decorated vehicles, Si- las, Allison and Ike Fansler won fi rst place, and Alexa and Kyra Averett won fi rst as a business group fl oat. In the mounted division, Li’l Miss PRCA Rowdy Israel had a fi rst-place fi nish. The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Sky Jisha and her dog Tia walk in Friday’s Kids Day Parade. The Eagle/Rylan Boggs Coy Kraut, 15, places his hand on a bull’s head during a bullfight at the Grant County Fair on Saturday, Aug. 12. He’s been injured in the arena but nothing severe, only torn ligaments, he said. He’s passionate about the sport and loves it despite the danger. “It’s the love that keeps you going forward,” Hankinson said. Besides bullfi ghting, he also does cowboy protection for bull riders. See BULL, Page B12 The Eagle/Angel Carpenter A colorful crew of kids ride in Friday’s parade through downtown John Day. See pages B2 and B3 for more parade and fair photos. 4-H’ers impress at Grant County Fair Parade Waddel wins judges’ choice By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle The 4-H youth were among the highlights at Sat- urday’s Grant County Fair Parade in John Day. From a large crowd of youth walking together alongside a fl oat to a young- ster leading his calf with his parents, the 4-H’ers and their leaders took the spotlight. The parade theme “Red, Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Grant County Fairgrounds Manager Mindy Winegar and White and Blue — This Fair’s For You!” was evident A dog on the Pioneer Feed staff member Dusty Williams keep the kids running for candy at Saturday’s fair parade. throughout with colorful en- float smiles at the crowd. tries. Parade coordinator Bren- High School parking lot, the “Having every one of them Waddel, who led his calf Moo da Mosier said at times starting point, to the street riding and walking each year Moo down the parade route brings a sense of pride.” with the help of his parents, tears came to her eyes as the that morning. “Fair, to me, is all about She was especially im- Simmie and Wade. youngsters moved from the Grant Union Junior-Senior the 4-H kids,” Mosier said. pressed with young Tate The sight “made all our Grant County Fair Grand Marshal Jean Kline waves to spectators as she rides with grandchildren and great- grandchildren in her late husband Dave’s ’66 Chevy, named “Ole Red.” hearts melt,” she said, adding the young man received the Judges’ Choice Award. There were 37 entries in all, and Mosier expressed her appreciation for all who en- tered, as well as the team of volunteers who assisted her. See PARADE, Page B12
