Anticipation of winning a new bicycle during the Whiteside County Fair is always evident, by the number of children that swarm around the Fair Office prior to each day’s name drawing.
The first winner, on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, was Cole Bland, 13, from Morrison, IL. A photograph was unavailable. The bike sponsor was Joel Downie, PC of Rock Falls, IL.
On Wednesday, August 15, Kendra Campos, age 12, from Lyndon, IL, took home a new pair of wheels. Her bike was donated by Farmers National Bank of Morrison. She stated she has “bikes, but they are too small.” Although she rides a bus to school, “I can ride in the neighborhood,” Kendra said.
The bicycle winner on Thursday, August 16, was seven-year-old Waylon Phelps from Morrison. He lives in the country, but there is a long lane leading to his house. Waylon has two younger sisters, ages two and five. The older child, Charlie, won a bicycle from Friends of the Parks, during the Summer Extravaganza, on Saturday, July 28. April House Children’s Advocacy Center in Morrison was the sponsor.
On Friday, August 17, there were two winners. At 2:00 p.m., Hunter Millerschone’s name was called. But he failed to appear in the three-minute time frame. Hunter was on a midway ride and did not hear his named called. His grandmother and younger brother appeared at the Office in time, but the bike may only go to the child whose name is drawn. So, Austin Rush, age 12 of Morrison, below, was awarded a new bicycle, sponsored by 1st Gateway Credit Union in Morrison. Rush is in sixth grade and lives in town. He said he will give his other bike to his younger siblings, brothers eight and nine. He commented, “I wear my helmet when I plan on doing tricks.”
At 6:00, the Editor spoke to Hunter Millerschone, who was sitting with his brother outside the Fair Office. She wished him good luck on this second drawing. That is exactly what transpired! His name was called, and the ten-year-old bounded into the office. Millerschone’s bike was sponsored by Kophamer & Blean Realty of Morrison. He has a bicycle, but he will leave it at his grandparents’ house. “I can ride my new bike to school,” he said.
The last winners’ names were drawn on Saturday, August 18. At 2:00 p.m., Jaylynn Turner was selected to receive a bike, sponsored by Booker for Sheriff. Sheriff candidate John Booker is at left. She is seven and lives in Nelson, IL. Although she has a bicycle, it is too small for her. She discussed how the older of her two sisters, age five, could ride that one, if training wheels were reinstalled. Jaylynn rides a bus to school, but she will ride her new bike in the neighborhood. She has a bike helmet and “sometimes” wears it. Whiteside County Sheriff Candidate John Booker posed with Jaylynn.
At 6:00, six-year-old Tristan McCoy, of Morrison, took home the final bicycle of the 2018 Fair. The first grader now owns three bikes; the other two are a dirt bike and one that was vandalized. He has two bike helmets and knee pads for protection. The sponsor was Community State Bank of Morrison.
