Viola Days beats the heat

Cala Smoldt/correspondent

Saturday's heat and humidity may have been the big story for the Second Annual Viola Days. The heat index reached well into the 90s.

The good news was this summer's seemingly constant rains held off. With only a 20 percent chance of precipitation, the clouds offered some relief as temperatures reached the mid 80s by 3 p.m. The wet weather did play a minor part in the community celebration. Organizers had a minor setback when they discovered the Viola Baseball Diamond was too wet for play on Friday evening. The tournament was pushed back as officials scrambled to let players know to meet at Northside Baseball Diamond in Aledo. The games continued at the Viola Baseball Diamond as scheduled Saturday morning.

Events began at 8 a.m. with a craft show and kids games featuring a bounce house behind Morrison’s Market. The 5k Jackpot Run/Walk began and finished at City Limits starting at 10 a.m. There was an after race party and silent auction all day, with a pie auction at 5 p.m. First place in the run was won by 15-year-old Caleb Kibling with a time of 18 minutes, 49 seconds. Second place went Carson Caldwell, 14.

Kickstand Pub and Grub hosted a rib dinner giving back $5 for every plate sold Friday night to the Viola Days Committee. The band Naughty Naughty, entertained patrons from 8 p.m. - midnight.

A street dance ended the event with Crossroads performing from 8 p.m. - midnight at City Limits.

Coordinator of Viola Days, Jim Morrison said, “There’s a group of us just working hard to bring back some events, old history, to make it (Viola) a tighter community. (We) appreciate all the support the group gets.”