Fun, games return to Main Street

The Colusa County Chamber of Commerce’s first Independence Day celebration was a big hit with the community.

Snow cones, music, water slides and fireworks highlighted the Main Street event, which drew a large amount of people to the downtown on a holiday weekend. It was the first old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration held in Colusa County in decades.

“We wanted to give it that hometown feel, and we accomplished that,” said Sherri Burns, Colusa County Chamber of Commerce director.

The event followed the eighth running of the Colusa County triathlon, sponsored by Colusa Fitness.

Organizer Hal Tacker said the event was started to promote health and fitness and to bring people to the downtown.

“This is a fun race,” Tacker said. “If you’re looking for a serious event, then you’re in the wrong race.”

That annual event included a three-mile run, a seven-mile kayak race down the Sacramento River and six-mile bike race. About 65 people participated in the event – one of the largest turnouts in event history. 

Although final results were not available by press time, Tacker said this year’s “Spirit Award,” was given to 7-year-old participant Gabriel Salazar, who fell from his bike near the end of the race and was run over by his brother.

“Gabriel (not seriously injured) was driven to the finish line by a sheriff’s deputy,” Tacker said. “He almost finished the race, so he deserved the sprit award.”

Another annual Fourth of July tradition, the rubber duck race, got underway on the Sacramento River  at 2 p.m., kicking off the afternoon festivities for the Fourth of July celebration.

The Colusa Lions Club dropped 1,250 rubber ducks over the sided of two boats. The ducks made their way to the Colusa bridge, where they were collected from the water.

The duck purchased by Clark and Nelson Law Firm was the winner, earning the firm $500. Hayden Kalfsbeek’s duck came in second for $300, and Mary Stillwell earned $200 for her duck’s third place finish.

Lions club member Frank Davison said the club added a new twist to the event this year by awarding the purchaser of the duck that came in last a return of their $5 investment. The newly named “worst duck” winner was Donna Vaughn of Colusa, whose duck got caught in a whirlpool and was found spinning around in a circle long after the others crossed the finish line.

“Donna is a good sport,” Davison said. “We thought that anyone having the duck that came in dead last should at least get their money back.”

Main Street festivities Saturday also included a watermelon eating contest, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Colusa County.

Colusa County government officials competing in the first competition were Williams City Council member Eddie Johnson, Williams Treasurer Sally Barker and county supervisors Tom Indrieri and Mark Marshall. Marshall won the event by eating five watermelon quarters in two minutes.

Damon Martinez, 16, of Marysville won the second eating contest after competing against four others from the community. Don Burns came in second and Travis Amundson was third.

The Community Foundation sponsored the eating contest in addition to raffling off the opportunity to push an old fashioned TNT plunger to start the evening fireworks.

Anna Clifton, 9, of Colusa had the honor of starting the celebration’s main event. 

Tom Indrieri, Colusa County Chamber of commerce executive director, said the chamber was pleased with the turnout at the Fourth of July celebration.

Indrieri and other directors said they will work to make the event successful each year.

“Each year we hope to add to it,” said Ben Felt. “It’s an event that’s good for this community.”

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.