HUMBODLT — Thousands of spectators flooded into Humboldt and crowded streets downtown Saturday to see the 56th annual Biblesta Parade in made-to-order fall weather.
They weren’t disappointed.
The “3” Rusty Nails — Lloyd Houk, Mike Farran and Ricky Yeager — set the stage for the day’s entertainment with an 11 a.m. reunion concert, ahead of rousing gospel music by The Missourians.
The parade, nearly an hour long, depicted scenes from the Bible with floats that drew exclamations and spontaneous applause throughout its route.
Dr. Arthur Carlson conceived the Christian celebration during a prayer meeting in 1957 and the grand prize winning float is named in his honor. This year St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Humboldt, had the winning entry with “The River of Life,” from Revelations 22:1-2. The float was replete with a tree, other foliage and a stream running its length over a bed of stones.
Other winning entries:
Beauty: “Jesus Raises Lazarus” from John 11:38-44, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Humboldt.
Drama: “Parting of the Red Sea” from Exodus 14:5-16, 21-25, Faith Assembly of God, Humboldt.
Authenticity: “The Lord is Exalted” from Psalms 113:4-8, United Methodist Church, Humboldt.
Spectacular: “The Integrity of Joseph” from Genesis 39:12, G.A.L.S. FCE, Humboldt.
Walking entry: “Choose Life” from Deuteronomy 30:19, Kansans for Life.
Philip Doty Award: “Joseph Cast Out” from Genesis 37:23-24, Poplar Grove Baptist Church, Humboldt.
Lines were long at food booths much of the afternoon and a free bean feed capped daytime activities. An evening youth rally, “Biblesta After Dark,” featured Gary Larson, area Fellowship of Christian Athletes director, and Kevin Olson, Chanute, author of “Learning to Live with It,” a book detailing an accident that left him paralyzed and his life afterward.
“I don’t know how it could have been any better,” was the appraisal of Larry Barnett, chairman of the Biblesta committee.
BIBLESTA AT ITS BEST
