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Approximately 4,000 people explored the life, arts, culture and history of Columbus during the 89th annual Magnolia Days Festival, Friday and Saturday, May 15-16, around the courthouse square. The two-day festival featured dozens of food and shopping vendors, seven bands performing live, a classic car show, a 5K run, historic homes tours, a family fun zone with inflatables and much more.
Magnolia Belles
Eleven Magnolia Belles made their debut this year with a formal presentation both on Friday and Saturday. The Magnolia Belle program was established in 1964 when young ladies in their senior year of high school were invited to act as goodwi l l ambassadors for the Magnolia Homes Tour Festival (now known as the Magnolia Days Festival).
This year’s Belles are Kiya Brackin, Katharine Burnett, Micah Ehlert, Kate Far r is, Emerson Glueck, Ava Heffley, Shelby Johnson, Julissa Martinez, Ezra Ricicar, Andrea Rosales and Makayla Woolrey-Price.
To become a Magnolia Belle, a young lady must be in her senior year of high school and reside within Columbus ISD boundaries. Belles must attend docent training and complete volunteer hours support ing the Columbus Histor ica l Preservation Trust and its events prior to her senior year. Belles must be passing all subjects at the time of invitation and participation in extracurricular activities at school and being active in the community is important. Magnolia Belles are viewed as role models for young girls in the community.
Young ladies in grades nine through 12, including incoming freshmen, who are interested in becoming a Magnolia Belle are invited to attend an orientation on Saturday, June 6, from 9:30–11 a.m. at the Stafford Opera House at 425 Spring Street, Columbus.
Classic Car Show Winners
Dozens of bright and shiny classic cars lined Milam Street as festivalgoers peered under hoods and poked heads into the cabins. The car show handed out awards based on model, parts and best overall.
For models, Mark Janik won Best Ford; Roy Allen won Best Chevrolet; Darryl Hurst won Best Mopar; and Rob Lencion won Best GM.
For parts, Chester Pain won Best Engine, and Robert Shook won Best Paint.
Ed and Sherril Jackson won Chamber Choice. Jerry and Vivian Jackson won Best in Show Car. Rodney Ledet won Best in Show Truck.
5K Results
Over 100 runners competed in the Magnolia Days Festival 5K Run. Elijah Wishon, of Columbus, placed first for the male open and first overall with a time of 18:45. Landri Findley, of Fulshear, placed first for the female open and sixth overall with a time of 21:44. Travis Kent, of Alleyton, placed first for the male masters and 14th overall with a time of 23:54. Nadine Byrne, of Columbus, placed first for the female masters and 36th overall with a time of 27:57.
The winners for each male age group are as follows: ages 19 and under, Zeyon Ramirez of Columbus; ages 20–29, Alan Kalb; ages 30–39, Luis Zavala of Columbus; ages 40– 49, Mitch Findley of Fulshear; ages 50–59, Adan Guerrero of Cat Spring; ages 60–69, Jeff Lendermon of Missouri City; and ages 70 and over, Kevin Applegate of Bellville.
The winners for each female age group are as follows: ages 19 and under, Scarlett McClelland of New Ulm; ages 20–29, Carina Alonso of Columbus; ages 30–39Emily Petrosky of Columbus; ages 40–49, Lisa Hibbeler of Lexington; ages 50–59, Lina Ferguson of Eagle Lake; ages 60–69, Tracey Dorenkamp of Sealy; and ages 70 and over, Ann Ellison of Weimar.
