Traditions passed on at Oran's picnic

ORAN, Mo. — Dana Lynch and Jodi McVay have been coming to Oran's Fourth of July picnic since they were little girls. Now, 30 years after their first picnic, Lynch and McVay are passing the tradition down to their children.

Guardian Angel Church began the event in 1908. By 1962, the picnic had become too big, so the church passed picnic responsibilities to the Oran Knights of Columbus, said Lawrence "Lefty" Seyer, a charter member of the group.

Attractions such as children's games, food and horseshoe throwing are a part of the picnic's traditions.

With their children pulling them in every direction, Lynch and McVay took them to the game area.

"We stay together pretty well," Lynch said. "We find them if they stray."

One of McVay's children, Peyton, wanted to go play with some friends from school. He is one of nine students in his class.

"You can have a little bit of freedom this year," McVay said. "But you have to stay in my eyes' sight."

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com A bingo-styled game, "I Got It," was a hit Friday at the Knights of Columbus Fourth of July Picnic in Oran, Mo. From right were Garret Menz of Chaffee, Lisa Moit of Benton and her niece, Faye Schaefer of Austin, Tex.

One activity for children was being pulled around in cars converted from oil drums.

"There used to be a track, and the cars would go around the same way every time," McVay said. "This is much better."

Food also gave the picnic a traditional quality. Every year the same buffet is served: fried chicken, kettle-cooked beef, green beans, coleslaw, buttered potatoes and dressing. Up to 250 people eat at one time inside the Knights of Columbus building. As people finish their plates and leave the dining hall, more from outside pile in. Around 2,000 people are served every year, said Kent Mangels, who was collecting tickets at the door.

"Everybody thinks the price is better than most restaurants," Mangels said. The all-you-can-eat buffet cost $7.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Larry Essner of Benton, Mo,. drove a kiddie ride Friday at the Knights of Columbus Fourth of July Picnic in Oran, Mo.

Tami Rendleman worked outside at the fried chicken booth, where she and other women coated the chicken in flour for frying.

"I'm doing what my parents did years ago," Rendleman said, whose parents also helped with chicken preparation. "It feels neat to be here."

Rendleman said every year she's told by picnic organizers it will need more volunteers. More than 1,300 pounds of chicken is fried every year, "but miraculously, more people than needed show up," Rendleman said.

This year Danny Williams competed in the horseshoe throwing contest. Oran has had a league since 1975. About 10 years after the league's start, Williams built an indoor horseshoe throwing area to provide entertainment during the winter in Grassy, Mo., he said.

More than 30 people competed in the tournament. Williams was eliminated after the first round.

The Knights of Columbus provides more than 600 volunteers for the picnic, which allows picnic profits to be donated to charity, said Kirby Hahn, chairman of the picnic. The profits help cover the six or seven annual $500 scholarships awarded to area students heading off to college.

adohogne@semissourian.com

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