Crowd rallies behind Thebes' mud races to raise money

THEBES, Ill. -- Nitrous- and alcohol-fueled trucks thundered through a 100-foot mud pit in Thebes' city park Saturday night, bringing cheers from a crowd of more than 1,000 people.

The mud races brought spectators from throughout the area, including many from the Missouri side of the river, and a spark of hope to a town that recently hit a rough patch. In July, the IRS seized the town's assets over a $51,000 tax bill. And Atmos Energy threatened this spring to cut off gas service to the town because of a $57,000 debt.

The IRS has been paid and the utility company received most of its money. The mud races show the town will pull together to overcome difficulties, Mayor Anthony Scott Bomar said.

"We are going to learn from our mistakes, learn from the past, but we are looking forward," Bomar said.

Proceeds from ticket sales and parking fees will go into the town's depleted treasury. Concession booths selling hamburgers, barbecue and drinks were set up by city employees, the Thebes Women's Club and the volunteer fire department.

Members of the Beech Grove Baptist Church walked through Thebes last week to ask residents what they wanted in town. They heard calls for the opening of the historic courthouse, built in 1848, as a tourist attraction and development of a retail business area.

The courthouse is leased to the local historical society, but with few members the building remains locked. There are no retail stores in town.

"We need a store, a place to get a loaf of bread," said church member Pattie Hedrick, who moved into Thebes in April. "We need a restaurant."

Longtime resident Fred Petzoldt, chief of the fire department, said the mud races are a great boost for the town. It's the biggest event there in a long time, he said.

Petzoldt echoed the call to get business and tourists into town. "If the courthouse was open, we could get some people in here."

Bomar said he knows there is a difference between hoping for something and getting people to support a business once it opens. But despite being in office only since April, he's encouraged by the help he received to stage the mud races.

Cape Electrical Supply donated and sold at cost the equipment needed to power lights at the city park, Bomar said. And Bomar's employer, Dutch Enterprises, supplied trenching equipment to bury the electrical lines.

Future improvements are in the works, he said, but they were delayed by the need to face immediate problems.

Alexander County Commissioner Angela Greenwell said she's encouraged by the town's efforts so far. "People are starting to step forward and say they have a vision for Thebes," she said.