29th Annual Pony Wagon Days
Saturday, September 11, 2010
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Join us for the 29th Annual Pony Wagon Days Parade on Saturday, September 11, 2010 @ 10AM! For more information, please visit www.ponywagondays.com
Pony Wagon Days Sept. 11, 2010
Theme: Salute to our Military - Then and Now
Veterans - Whether you are or have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, or Navy, we are grateful for your service. Your sacrifices enable us to continue to enjoy our freedom in the USA. We ask that you gather in front of the old fire house for the parade, give the public a chance to meet you, shake your hand, and say thank you.
We will videotape this
9:30 Crowning of Pony Wagon Days Queen and Princess at Parade Stage W. Main St.
Grand Marshal Recognition at Parade Main Stage, W. Main St.
Bill and Suzanne Slutz are this year’s Grand Marshals.
Flea Market at Main and Church, free set up
10:00 Parade begins at 370 E Main St., ends at Harmon Park
10:00 Rides, Games, Food Vendors on Springfield St
Do we have food! Tenderloins, Blooming Onions, Pork Chops, Baked Potatoes
Deep Fried Chicken, Fish, Veggies, French Fries,
10:00 Home Show at Municipal Building (Entries due Friday night 5-8)
11:30 Chicken & Noodles, chili, sandwiches, salad, and desserts at Baptist Church
12:00 Basket Auction will be held after parade and military meet and greet at Municipal Building
1:00 Cake Walk benefiting St Paris Food Pantry – Municipal Building
3:00 Cornhole –Main Stage $20 per 2 man team
Karaoke ?
8:00 EZ Rider Band – Main Stage
Grand Marshals Bill and Suzanne Slutz
Bill entered the military while still in high school, one of five members of the football team to do so. He served in the Marines, 1943-46, and saw duty on Saipan and Tinian in the Mariana Islands, and served on the front line in Okinawa and with the occupation forces in Nagasaki.
At Parris Island, where Bill went through boot camp, he was given a small Gideon Bible, which he carried throughout his service. He credits his training, his faith and the selflessness of his comrades for his survival, but he can’t forget the things he saw. He lost close buddies on every island where he served. He still has nightmares. “I see pictures everyday of my life,” he says. “It’s difficult to talk about.”
Since the war, Bill has carried the flag whenever possible, including just about every Pony Wagon Parade. “I don’t do it for myself or for the people watching,” he says. He does it for the men who died.
After completing his military service, he returned to graduate from East Sparta in 1946. He has farmed in the area most of his life. Suzanne moved to St. Paris at age 6, when her father built Wren’s Dairy where Howard’s IGA now stands. She grew up in the St. Paris Methodist Church. She graduated from St. Paris School, and has been married to Bill since 1969.
The Slutzes like to travel. Bill is an avid fisherman, once even having caught a shark. He was, however fishing for tuna. Suzanne also collects unusual rocks.
Both Bill and Suzanne are active in the St. Paris Lions Club. They also work with Lions Clubs in Arizona where they spend winters. When asked what they do with the Lions, Bill said simply, “We serve.”
At Parris Island, where Bill went through boot camp, he was given a small Gideon Bible, which he carried throughout his service. He credits his training, his faith and the selflessness of his comrades for his survival, but he can’t forget the things he saw. He lost close buddies on every island where he served. He still has nightmares. “I see pictures everyday of my life,” he says. “It’s difficult to talk about.”
Since the war, Bill has carried the flag whenever possible, including just about every Pony Wagon Parade. “I don’t do it for myself or for the people watching,” he says. He does it for the men who died.
After completing his military service, he returned to graduate from East Sparta in 1946. He has farmed in the area most of his life. Suzanne moved to St. Paris at age 6, when her father built Wren’s Dairy where Howard’s IGA now stands. She grew up in the St. Paris Methodist Church. She graduated from St. Paris School, and has been married to Bill since 1969.
The Slutzes like to travel. Bill is an avid fisherman, once even having caught a shark. He was, however fishing for tuna. Suzanne also collects unusual rocks.
Both Bill and Suzanne are active in the St. Paris Lions Club. They also work with Lions Clubs in Arizona where they spend winters. When asked what they do with the Lions, Bill said simply, “We serve.”
Carriage provided by Buckeye Clydes and Carriages Visit us athttp://wwwbuckeyeclydesandcarriages.com
Join Pony Wagon Days on Facebook, sign up to receive updates on upcoming meetings. PWD meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Municipal Building at 7:30 pm.