Home State Bank won the thematic award
Home State Bank won the thematic award

There are several results that are coming in from last weekend’s Bell Tower Festival in Jefferson.

Jefferson Matters: Main Street announced that local artist Jolene Peters won the grand prize of $2,000 for her sculpture “Embrace Change” from the Ring Out for Art Contest. As for the parade contest, Home State Bank won the thematic float of “Carnival Lights, Rockin’ Nights,” while Wild Rose Casino and Resorts won best commercial float and the First Baptist Church won the non-commercial category. Those who qualified for the Iowa State Fair from the Bill Riley Talent Search included: ten-year-old Brooklyn Miller of Gowrie for the sprout division and for the senior division, it was 15-year-old Ana Yam of Ames who won.

"Embrace Change" by Jolene Peters is the 2018 Ring Out for Art winner
“Embrace Change” by Jolene Peters is the 2018 Ring Out for Art winner

Team “One Year Older” with Chris Nelson, Scott Weber, Brandon Kres and Zak Clark claimed the Jefferson Parks and Rec 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament for a fourth time. The Ding, Dong Dash winners were Logan Egeland for the men’s 5K, Olivia Hansen for the women’s 5K, Tyler Hostetler for the men’s 10K, and Avril Elsberry for the women’s 10K. The Greene County Historical Society Spelling Bee winners included: Emmalee Baugh, Lucy VanderLinden, Gavin VanderLinden, Kassi Lamoureux and Wendy VanderLinden in their respective age divisions. There were 122 kids that participated in the Free Fishing Derby with nine place winners by age division.

Greene County Chamber Board President Mike Holden appreciates everyone’s hard work to make this year’s festival a success.

“Shout out to all the volunteers that help make it happen. Emily Neese, the festival director, did a really nice job. You always know there’s a lot behind the scenes but boy until you’re doing it, you don’t realize. Thank you for everyone for coming out and being apart of it.”

A full list of the winners from the different contests can be found below.

BTF results:

Ring Out for Art winner: Jolene Peters “Embrace Change”

Parade Winners:

  • Thematic: Home State Bank
  • Commercial: Wild Rose Casino and Resorts
  • Non-commercial: First Baptist Church

3-on-3 B-ball Tournament winners: “One Year Older” Chris Nelson, Scott Weber, Brandon Kres and Zak Clark

Bill Riley Talent Search results:

  • Sprout (2-12): 10-year-old Brooklyn Miller of Gowrie 1st, 12-year-olds Jordyn Linn and Elli Heiden (both of Denison) tied for 2nd, 11-year-old Lucy Gannon of West Des Moines 3rd
  • Senior (13-21): 15-year-old Ana Yam of Ames 1st, 16-year-old Brittany Linch of Cherokee 2nd, 17-year-old Bailey Miller of Gowrie 3rd

Ding, Dong, Dash winners: 5k winners: Logan Egeland ran 17:57, Olivia Hansen ran 22:31.
10k winners:Tyler Hostetler ran 38:15, Avril Elsberry ran 50:11.

Fishing Derby: 122 kids participated. Nine place winners by length of fish caught and everyone who participated received a prize.

Greene County Historical Society Spelling Bee Results:

1st -2nd grade: Emmalee Baugh 1st

3rd-4th grade: Lucy VanderLinden 1st, Sam Derry 2nd, Natalee Baugh 3rd

5th through 8th grade: Gavin VanderLinden 1st

9th -12th grade: Kassi Lamoureux 1st, Regan Lamoureux 2nd, Kirsten Lamoureux 3rd

College – Adults: Wendy VanderLinden 1st, Vicki Rush 2nd, Judy Block tie 3rd and Michelle Pohlad tie 3rd

The First Baptist Church won non-commercial
The First Baptist Church won non-commercial
Wild Rose Casino and Resorts won best commercial award
Wild Rose Casino and Resorts won best commercial award
Bill Riley participants. Photo courtesy of Tori Riley
Bill Riley participants. Photo courtesy of Tori Riley