Eight-year-old Roger Edwards is quite the salesman, his grandmother Terry Rhyne pointed out Saturday during the annual Iron Horse Festival in downtown Poplar Bluff.
As Edwards explained how sets of earrings were made from recycled CDs and compared a key chain to the characters in a favorite movie, the Doniphan pair did brisk business.
"He's constantly trying to think of new things," Rhyne added as Edwards described a set of rings he wants to make with a Christmas theme.
Rhyne, who has made jewelry for nearly 40 years, was among many local crafts people lining a closed section of Main Street with everything from carved gourds to knitted hand towels and homemade soaps.
Other activities were held Saturday in the Black River Coliseum parking lot for the fall festival of John J. Pershing VA Medical Center and at Ray Clinton Park for the Butler County Fair.
In addition to the hundreds of people strolling through the downtown area, there were more than 700 youth and adult entries to fair competitions, while some 600 visitors dropped in at the Moark Regional Railroad Museum to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Frisco Depot.
Eugene Field teacher Michelle Adams used the fair contests in painting, crafts and other skills to teach her first grade important lessons.
"I think it helps them take pride in their work, build self esteem and learn life skills," said Adams, whose students made yarn turtles and scrap book butterflies.
Her daughter, Bree Adams, 15, also placed second in a youth competition with her painting of the character Stitch from "Lilo and Stitch." Bree Adams, a Twin Rivers High School student, has participated in the events for the past seven years, along with her siblings.
Events opened at 10 a.m. with words from VA Director Dr. Patricia Hall and Downtown Poplar Bluff Director Jerrica Fox.
"We hope you all enjoy not only the fellowship but the nice weather we have today and enjoy all of the free services we have here today," said Fox.
Combining these events allowed the organizations to reach more families, speakers said.
The VA also recognized an internal program which provides donated bicycles to veterans in need of transportation. A new bike was presented to 45-year-old Verlon Dilley, an Air Force veteran who served from 1994-1998.
This program was started after VA social worker Lisa Mullins realized many of the at-risk veterans served by the facility had problems with transportation.
A veteran told her he might have to quit school because he had no way to get there, she said.
Since that time, the VA has received the donation of 40 bicycles from the Sikeston Police Department.
Staff and students at Sears Youth Center have also volunteered their time to repair the bikes, said Hall, who recognized Sears youth group leader Brad Peters and manager Brian Hicks.
"It's so great to be a part of this community event and be a part of a community that supports our veterans so much," Hall said. "The festivities here today are only one small way we in the VA say thank you (to veterans)."