RECAP: 2023 Frontier Days Brings in the Crowds, the Laughs, and the Fun

Even with a bit of competition from Headwaters Country Jam in Cardwell/Three Forks, the 39th Annual Whitehall Frontier Days brought in hundreds of people into town who visited over 70 vendors on Legion Avenue, the Main Street Green, and the Western Legacy Center, as well as participated in many first-time Chamber events, which may indeeed become Frontier Days Traditions.

The Whitehall Chamber of Commerce will have a complete THANK YOU ad in next week's paper, but would like to thank EVERYONE who made Frontier Days the massive success it was!

Here is a quick recap of the winners of this year's events.

CHICKEN WRANGLE: Thank you to Casey McLean for the use of her chickens and Elena Wagner for the panels! Five teams participated in the Chicken Wrangle and over $300 was brought in via the Calcutta auction before the event. Team New Barr (Clayton Barr & Stevielynne Newby) won the event by picking up all five chickens in 36.58 seconds; the team was purchased by Samara Doran.

ROD RUN: Thank you to Al Johnson for running the memorial rod run. The following awards were given: Bill Baycroft Award: Tom Walund of Butte; Bob Casagrande Award: Terrie Casagrande of Whitehall; People's Choice Award: Dale Olson of Butte; Truck Award: Kelli Thennis' 56 Chevy truck; Rat Rod Award: Ric Pestel's 29 Nash Sedan; and Long Distance Award: Jim Tebay's 52 Plymouth Coupe.

PARADE: Thank you to Coco Martinson for taking people's votes on best float! First place goes to Wynter Jensen and her horse, 2nd place AgCats 4-H, and 3rd place goes to Cliff's Auto. Honorable mention to Whimsical Wonders float!

TRACTOR PULL: Thank you to Mike and Kristy Price for running the event, Tanya Jorgenson and Expedition Church for taking times and hauling the tractors, and Larry for being Jonny-on-the-spot with a welder when the tractor broke. The following awards were given:

4 Year olds: 1st place Jamey Farrand (14 feet), 2nd place Edith Rash, 3rd place James Rash.

5-6 year olds: 1st place Hemming Enns (22 feet), 2nd place Kade Smith, 3rd place Lane Smith.

7-8 year olds: 1st place Trey Farrand (36 feet), 2nd place Jayce Gilstrap, 3rd place Lance Howser.

9-10-year-olds: 1st place Stetson Howser (37 feet), 2nd place Braden, 3rd place Tower Mason.

CHAMBER SADDLE RAFFLE: Jerry and Kathy Anderson were the winners of the youth saddle, donated to the Chamber by Armstrong Ranch. Proceeds of the raffle go to the Chamber's events fund.

4 PAWS RAFFLE: First prize of the signed print from local artist Cheryl Ann Gordon is Diane Murray of Butte. Second prize of the two deer lawn ornament statues is Kelly Petersen of Three Forks. The third prize of the Clays In Calico beanpot and the gift certificate to LaHood Park Steakhouse is Kym Todd of Cardwell.

FD WORLD RECORD COMPETITION: Five teams competed in twelve games, each game with $100 available to win per team. The following are the results:

Fourth place (tie): $100 each. Team Laclede Wranglers won Grit & Grin It; The Karens won Cowboy Hat Toss. The Laclede Wranglers donated half their winnings to the Whitehall VFD and the other half to Whitehall Baptist Church.

Third Place: $200, The Wildly Uncontrollable Outlaws won Lasso Loop Off and Make Me A Cowboy.

Second Place: $300, The Ledger Team won Bullet Bully, Long John Jump, and Saltine Salute.

First Place: $500, Team Laclede Kids won Chubby Bunny, Bandana Tie Off, Tshirt Tangle, Money Matters, and Poker Hand. They donated half their winnings to the Whitehall VFD and the other half to Whitehall Baptist Church.

WHITEHALL VFD RAFFLE: 1st place (Christensen Arms 7mm 08): Marlys Weyer. 2nd place (Colt King Cobra 357 Mag): Katura Patacini. 3rd place (Traditions Deerhunter 50 Cal muzzleloader): Tom Monforton. 4th place (2 night stay and dinner for two at Chico): Farley Hicks.

Results were not available at press time for the Mark Jordan Horseshow Tournament, the VFD Duck Race, and the veteran's quilt raffle.