From left, Jayda Goodrick, Josie May Smith and Korynn Goodrick look at an alligator held by Paul Venckus during his Hedgehog Hannah animal show at Markleville Jamboree.
Ian Thurlow of Newcastle remains still after Hedgehog Hannah animal show owner Paul Venckus put a tarantula on his head, to the delight of Thurlow’s friend Payton Fox of Fishers.
Raffles and pet contest voting garnered a lot of attention from those attending Markleville Jamboree.
George Mock drives a tractor around a series of pylons with his eyes closed, aided by friend and fellow Markleville Tractor Club member Jim Stinson.
Isabelle Wells walks a family pet, Nigerian dwarf goat Carlos, at Markleville Jamboree.
Cas Clark, under the watchful eye of timekeeper Paul Claxon, put the most socks on one foot in 30 seconds — seven — to win the contest and set the Madison County record.
Adalynn Rector and Bentley Cole were the only team to compete in the leap from contest, establishing the Madison County record of 30 in one minute.
Bryan Rogers won the most-soda-cans-opened-in-30 seconds contest at Markleville Jamboree. He opened 29.
Serene Darr won the most-quarters-stacked-in-a-minute contest at Markleville Jamboree. Contestants had to use one hand, and the stack had to remain standing for 10 seconds after time was called.
Harper Adams watches Gary Nolen assemble a Mr. Potato Head toy during a timed competition at Marklville Jamboree. Adams, one of several other competitors, took his turn after Nolen, but Nolen ended up winning the event with a time of 1:12.89.
The crowd reacts to the appearance of an alligator during the Hedgehog Hannah animal show at Markleville Jamboree.
The crowd reacts to the appearance of an alligator during the Hedgehog Hannah animal show at Markleville Jamboree.
Hendrix Waller tenses up as he looks at a legless during the Hedgehog Hannah animal show at Markleville Jamboree.
Lincoln Waller, 3, puts some distance between himself and an alligator during the Hedgehog Hannah animal show during Markleville Jamoboree.
Markleville Jamboree committee member Christina Arens, Markleville Park Board member Teresa Stoops, committee members Jan Fox and Dianna Smith, and park board President Wayne Fox pose for a photo with a member of the Hedgehog Hannah animal show cast, along with owner Paul Venckus.
From left, Jayda Goodrick, Korynn Goodrick, Evie Smith and Josie May Smith, along with mom Stacy Smith, take advantage of the opportunity to pet a large snake during the Hedgehog Hannah animal show at Markleville Jamboree.
Jamboree offers food, entertainment and competitions
MARKLEVILLE — Markleville celebrated its annual jamboree on the weekend, with food, entertainment and a slate of activities for people of all ages.
Those who came out to enjoy it included a lot of regulars who live in town and some first-timers who don’t.
“We came up because we heard about it (from a friend),” said Jeffery Carr of Anderson, who was enjoying some quickly melting ice cream with his wife, Cassandra, and young son Quincy William.
Cassandra added, “it’s just so quaint and cute — nothing like a small town festival.”
They are originally from Ohio, Jeffery Carr said.
“This is very reminiscent of where we’re from.”
Amber Griggs, on the other hand, lives in Markleville, and said she makes the jamboree pilgrimage every year.
“We just come and hang out and have fun,” she said, flanked by daughter Daylynn and son Camdon. “They love the bounce houses, it’s their favorite. We try to get involved in whatever they have going on.”
There were sorority- and church-sponsored meals, vendor booths, pet prince and princess contests, a parade and motorcycle show, a quiz bowl game and live music.
Markleville Tractor Club had a tractor show and tractor driving challenges.
There was also an arts and crafts show, petting zoo and more.
New this year were some competitions organizers said they hope to turn into a countywide challenge.
They picked some Guiness Book of World Records activities and invited people to try to set new benchmarks.
Following Guiness rules, people competed in timed challenges to stack quarters, put multiple socks on one foot, open soda cans, complete leap frogs and assemble a Mr. Potato Head.
While no world records were set, times were recorded as county bests, and organizers plan to challenge people at other area events to try to beat them.
Top finishers were:
Bryan Rogers — most soda cans opened in 30 seconds (29);
Cas Clark — most socks put on one foot in 30 seconds (7);
Serene Darr — most quarters stacked in a tower in one minute using one hand (46);
Gary Nolen — fasted time to assemble a Mr. Potato head while blindfolded (1:12.89);
Adalynn Rector and Bentley Cole — most leap frog jumps in one minute by a team of two (30).
The softball game between Markleville Police Department and Adams Township Fire Department (Guns versus Hoses) was forfeited by the fire department, MPD Chief Tim Basey said.