Decatur Barbecue has kids’ game day
DECATUR — Kids raced, hopped and hulahooped their way to victory Saturday morning during the kids’ games event at the 65th Annual Decatur Barbecue at Veterans Park in Decatur Aug. 4. The event was open to kids of all ages.
They participated in potato sack races, threelegged races, hula-hoop contests, egg races and water balloon races. Kids competed for prizes, including dinosaur-themed toys, backpacks with school supplies and a chance to take home one of two stuffed bears.
Logan Smith, 7, won the three-legged race with his partner, Sydnie Brooks. He won a backpack and a chance to pick a toy from the prize box.
“It was really fun,” said Smith.
Another one of Smith’s favorite events was the water balloon race — an event in which competitors raced with a water balloon held between their legs.
It was really hard,” Smith remarked. “(It) was really hard until I had found the secret to holding the balloon.”
Sydnie Brooks, 10, won the three-legged race and the hula-hoop contest, her favorite event.
“I am really good at it,” said Brooks.
She took home a backpack and a toy of her choice from the prize box. After the kids’ games, Brooks said, “I look forward to the water slide.”
With the return of the kids’ games event to the Barbecue and turnout higher than expected, Sheila Verser said the event “was a success.” Verser, who organized the event, handed out ribbons and prizes to every participant. She concluded, “The children had fun, and that’s all that matters.”
Kim Wilkins, president of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, said there were other events for children at the Decatur Barbecue.
“A lot of kids are in the parade, and we have the blow-ups for them,” said Wilkins.
Children could view the floats and gather candy on Main Street, and play on the inflatables at Veterans Park.
“It was really important to have events for kids because the Chamber of Commerce wants as many citizens of Decatur to come out because [the Barbecue] is the biggest event in our town,” Wilkins said.