The 2023 Iron Horse Festival kicked off with the traditional pancake breakfast at the Historic Iron Mountain Depot on Saturday morning, followed by a flagpole dedication by the Poplar Bluff High School band, JROTC Honor Guard and other community members.
__Historic stairs, new flag__
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Larry Kimbro acted as the master of the ceremonies for the brief dedication atop the Poplar Bluff’s Grand Staircase. He thanked a list of special individuals who helped to make the new flagpole a reality: Mayor Shane Cornman, council members Lisa Parson (Ward One), Jerrica Fox-Lane (Ward Two), Barbara Horton (Ward Three), Robert Smith (Ward Four), Mark Massingham (at-large), Billy DePew (at-large) and City Manager Matt Winters.
Kimbro also recognized Stephanie Knoppe, the president of the Iron Mountain Depot Restoration Corporation, all of the group’s board members, and Shirley Davenport of the Poplar Bluff Altrusa Club. Kimbro said Davenport was instrumental in the completion of the Grand Staircase project and that the completion of the flagpole was the “cherry on the top.”
“First of all, this site is located on the city of Poplar Bluff’s property, and they have been gracious to donate that to us for the flagpole,” Kimbro said. “Additionally, the Poplar Bluff utilities have been instrumental in supplying the equipment and labor to install the flagpole and lighting. Without their help, this project would have not been completed at this time.”
Parsons provided the invocation for the ceremony. Afterward, Kimbro spoke of the historical significance of the railroad within the city of Poplar Bluff.
“Poplar Bluff has been a railroad town since 1878,” he said. “And the railroad is still an important part of the economy of our region. Poplar Bluff and surrounding communities have been developed over many decades by people using the stairs and the railroad for business and pleasure.”
Kimbro said that in past years, many had descended the depot’s Grand Staircase while headed to wars in far away lands to defend freedom and a way of life.
“Upon their return, they ascended the stairs as combat-hardened and proud American men and women as they returned home to enjoy those hard-won freedoms with their families,” he said. “Unfortunately, many of them did not return alive.”
Kimbro pointed toward the Butler County Veterans Memorial Wall in front of the Black River Coliseum, saying the memorial flies all the stars and stripes to honor all citizens who served in all branches of the military.
“This flag reinforces that memorial by its position at this prominent place, visible to everyone traveling up or down our Main Street,” he said. “It informs all viewers that the people of Poplar Bluff are proud Americans who will support, protect and defend this country, its Constitution and the wonderful life it provides for us all.”
The Poplar Bluff JRTOC presented the colors for the ceremony while the SEMO Honor Guard conducted the gun salute. Madelyn Cauthen of Poplar Bluff HS performed the National Anthem.
Kimbro also gave one final acknowledgment to Dale Garrett, chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center for providing the podium and sound system for the flagpole ceremony.
With the conclusion of the ceremony, many of the attendees descended upon the Downtown festival which was already underway.
__Festivities__
Vintage car owners and car enthusiasts had their vehicles lined up for the public to view as attendees descended the Downtown streets to the main part of the festival.
John Patterson, the owner of a 1970 Dodge Challenger, said his vehicle did not have a lot of options because it was a racing vehicle.
“The restoration process took years,” he said of his race car. “It took 12 years and we drove all over the country with it.”
He said that next year he hopes to drive the Power Circuit with the Dodge after he retires.
“It’s a rare car,” he added. “There’s nothing like driving a vintage car.”
Vendors such as Amber Tyler also turned out. For Tyler Family Creations, the festival is a group effort.
“My husband does all of the 3D printing and we do the laser engraving as well,” she said. “My daughter does the jewelry, so we all just kind of join together and make stuff.”
Tyler said her family started small vending at local farmer’s markets and that this was her first year attending the festival.
Kelly Downs, the owner of Busy Mom, says that she customizes a lot of children’s clothing and toys.
“One of the biggest things that I sell are reusable egg containers,” she said. “I have a flea market booth at the Old Town Road Flea Market and I have been there for three years.”
Downs added that the Iron Horse Festival is a really good family-oriented festival and that she loves to get out and do festivals like these so she can work from home and spend time with her children.
Another feature of the Iron Horse Festival was a plant swap by the Green Thumb Garden Club. Club members visited with the community but also provided trees to residents as part of a Tree Festival.
Attorney Ron Little provided dogwood, redbud, mimosa, pecan, white pine, Norway Spruce, tulip poplar, maple, northern red oak, cypress, black gum and deciduous holly trees as part of the Tree Festival. Little has planted between 500 to 1,000 trees per year for about 50 years.
A photo gallery can be viewed at https://www.darnews.com/gallery/42626