Floodfest closes out with new roping event

Southeast Missourian

COMMERCE, Mo. -- On the banks of the river that flooded their town in 1993 and 1995, the people of Commerce gathered Friday night through Sunday afternoon for the fifth annual Floodfest.

Each year the festival, which celebrates the support the town received when the Mississippi River flooded, plays host to several family activities such as a beauty pageant, Karaoke contest and country music concerts. This year, a new attraction brought hundreds of people from all around the area to the festival to watch friends and family members try their hands at team roping.

Commerce resident Jerry McNees organized and sponsored the event. He said it went well for its first year.

McNees, 30, has been team roping all over the country for the past five years and said he thought of the idea to include the event at Floodfest so he'd have a place to compete at home.

"After I pay for the prizes if I don't make any money, I'll just be so tickled to death to have had it," McNees said.

He said he hopes to make the event an annual part of the Floodfest celebration and is making plans to set up a full-scale rodeo in Commerce to be held next summer.

Buckles, saddles as prizes

More than 100 men and women entered the team roping competition Sunday afternoon for a chance to win one of four silver buckles or a new saddle. McNees was happy that so many contestants had turned out for the event, and said he was surprised that there were so many female riders. About five women took part in the competition.

The new addition to Floodfest was not only fun for those who took part in it, but for those who came to watch.

Russell McNeely said he had only seen team roping on television before Sunday's competition. He and his wife, Barbara, said they have been to every Floodfest celebration. McNeely said he hasn't been to the SEMO District Fair or Homecomers for at least 15 years, but loves Floodfest because he knows everyone and can be around friends.

Darla Lingle and her family drove an hour and a half from Dongola, Ill., to watch their friends team rope. Lingle said she was enjoying the competition and hoped it will be a part of Floodfest 2002.

While the team roping was going on at one end of the fair grounds, a beauty pageant and Karaoke contest were taking place at the other end.

About 15 boys and girls participated in the fifth annual Floodfest Beauty Pageant. Winners were chosen from four categories and received trophies, sashes and cash prizes.

Besides the Karaoke, team roping and pageants, Floodfest 2001 included a mule-jumping contest, music by Tim Simmons, carnival rides for children and lots of hot dogs, burgers and beer.

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128