Drake’s Hosts First Great Outdoor Festival
Denny Drake with a Big Green Egg and Turtle Box. PHOTO | Beverly Bonilla
Story and Pictures by Beverly Bonilla
Drake’s Farm Service brought the community together Saturday, August 29, for their very first Great Outdoor Festival, giving local farmers, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and families a chance to enjoy a day filled with competition, shopping, music, food and fellowship.
Drake’s Farm Service has been a part of the community for more than 75 years, providing agricultural supplies, hunting gear and small-engine repair services. The business also holds a federal firearms license and has long served the needs of local farmers, hunters and those who enjoy spending time outdoors.
The festival featured a variety of vendors and outdoor related businesses, giving visitors an opportunity to browse products, ask questions and learn more about equipment and services available to outdoor enthusiasts. The Butler Co. Animal Shelter was on hand in hopes of finding homes for a few of their dogs.
The day’s activities got underway at 10 a.m. with a duck calling contest. Duck calling is a skill that takes practice, timing and a good ear. Competitors use a duck call to imitate the sounds of ducks, with the goal of producing realistic calls that would attract birds while hunting. Contestants had one minute to show the judges their ability to control the call and reproduce different sounds, including the distinctive quacks and other vocalizations of a duck. Taking the top spot in the contest was Braxton Tomes, who received a trophy and a cash prize for his winning performance.
The Butler County Animal Shelter joined the festival. PHOTO | Beverly Bonilla
In the afternoon the cornhole contest took place followed by a huge number of giveaways including a Turtle Box worth over $400. Later in the day, The Damn Shames Band took stage, adding live music to the festival and giving visitors a chance to relax and enjoy the entertainment.
Throughout the day, people from the community stopped by Drake’s Farm Service to visit friends and neighbors, check out the vendors, ask questions about outdoor products and services, shop the items available inside the store.
More than simply a day of competition and vendors, the first Great Outdoor Festival gave the community an opportunity to come together and enjoy the things that make small town gatherings special, good food, good music, friendly competition and fellowship.
With its long history of serving the community and its connection to agriculture and the outdoors, Drake’s Farm Service provided something for everyone and gave residents a chance to celebrate the outdoor tradition and community spirit that have been part of the area for generations.
