Winfield is looking to go 'redneck'

By KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

WINFIELD ? Crooked Creek Days may not be until this summer, but plans are fast underway for the three-day celebration.

Jennifer Huston, committee chair for the celebration, spoke to the Winfield City Council during its regularly scheduled meeting. Huston said this year?s theme would be Winfield?s Hillbilly Holiday. Huston said the plan is to ?paint the town redneck? and the event will be held July 31, Aug. 1 ? 2.

Last year?s Crooked Creek Days profits allowed the committee to donate $1,000 to the fire department and $500 to Winfield?s backpack program, while leaving roughly $2,000 in start-up cash for this year?s festivities.

However, after purchasing festival T-shirts to sell and prizes for the festival, the committee will be soliciting donations.

?I?m here to ask for money for fireworks,? said Huston.

In previous years, the council has donated $1,000 to the fireworks fund. This year, Huston is hoping to expand the fireworks show by 20 percent, making it a $7,000 or $7,500 show. Winfield Mayor Chris Finnell asked the council if they were willing to extend the donation by 20 percent.

?I say lead by example,? said Councilman Ryan Kinneberg.

Before approving a donation of $1,200 in a 4 to 1 vote, Roger Sharp being the ?nay?, Kinneberg asked if the committee was doing anything else to raise the money for the fireworks.

Huston said the committee does a monthly bags tournament and in April will do a pop can fundraiser.

?Besides getting money from people, that?s our fundraisers,? said Huston.

Huston said several events from years past, such as the carnival, softball and volleyball tournament will continue, but she wants to swap out the horseshoe tournament for a bags tournament.

?If we do anything with the horseshoe space it will be with the redneck theme. We considered toilet seat throwing,? she said.

Huston also wants to redneck bingo.

?It?s just a big cage and a bunch of numbers and you put a chicken in there and where they poop, that person wins. We thought it would be kind of fun,? said Huston.

Kinneberg suggested also looking into foot golf.

?It might tie into your hillbilly theme. Literally it?s a hole dug out for a soccer ball and you play golf with your feet,? he said.

In other business, the council:

? Set the public hearing for the fiscal year 2016 budget estimate for March 9 at 5 p.m.

? Approved tax abatement for 506 S. Locust, 209 N. Walnut and 205 N. Clark.

? Adopted revisions to the utilities board operations and maintenance plan.