Jan Gibson recalls “busy but fun” Ridiculous Days

Jan Gibson, former co-owner of Gibson Shoe Center (and the Outback Western Wear store,) has fond memories not just of the festivities during early Ridiculous Days, but of the people involved.

"Just seeing everyone, I knew all the farmers, their wives,“ she said. ”Everybody from Kalona to Wellman to West Chester to Keota to Brighton to Sigourney. They all came to Washington because we were the big stores then. And I just miss the people.“

The day was a huge day for retailers.

“The whole front of your store was ridiculously priced items that you wanted to get rid of that people wanted to buy … People came from all around, it was a big deal,” she said. “They were a lot of fun, but a whole lot of work for the merchants because you marked everything down, everything had to be brought out front and taken back in. It was work, but it was lots of fun.”

Her husband, Chuck, was even more involved, often participating in the parade with outlandish outfits.

"I’ll bet Chuck probably helped start Ridiculous Days, truth be told, because he was a ridiculous guy,“ she said. ”He was very involved in the city, he went to all the city functions … Chuck was in the parade every year.“

Chuck Gibson continued that involvement even after retirement. When the shoe repair business became a more casual affair run out of the family’s garage, he kept a spot in the back of every parade.

"Chuck had the shoe store with shoe repair in the back, (and) when we retired, the shoe repair went in our garage,“ Jan Gibson said. ”At the back of the Volkswagen, he was in the back of the parade, and the back of the Volkswagen said, ‘The End.’“

Jan Gibson said the celebration had changed over the years, as the makeup of businesses on the square has changed.

"It’s not all retail, that’s the big change,“ she said. ”It has to be, I realize times change, and there wouldn’t be that many businesses on the square anymore, so I’m glad the buildings are occupied by someone … It’s kind of sad to me, but I’m old. I liked it when it was mostly retail, but I can well understand why not.“

Nonetheless, Gibson said the best part of the day — the people — were still a draw.

"I still go to the flea market, I see lots of people I haven’t seen for a long time,“ she said. ”I love it, I just like people.“

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com