Rain doesn't dampen Sikeston's first ice cream social

SIKESTON -- Although it got off to a stormy start, Sikeston's first ice cream social was deemed a success.

Right before the event began, the sunny skies broke into rain. The unexpected weather pushed off Josh Monroe's performance by about 15 minutes and pushed socializers under the pavilion at Malone Park. The rains soon lifted though, and more people began to show up.

"It turned out to be a really beautiful day," said Amanda Pratt, executive director of the Historic Midtown Development Group, which sponsored the social. "It was definitely memorable."

The stormy weather didn't alter Tony Kiser's plans to bring his son and stepchildren to the social. "I told them if they ate all their lunch, they could come," he said. "I didn't want to break a promise to them."

With the local talent performances, face painting and free ice cream, Kiser said it was a great event, especially for children. "It's good for the kids," he said. "It's something for them to socialize that doesn't cost a fortune."

Kiser said he enjoyed hearing the music, and running into old acquaintances as well.

In a line of three lawn chairs, Nancy Craig-McMahon and her two grandsons held umbrellas at the beginning of the afternoon listening to the tunes. Craig-McMahon said she had planned to attend the social for quite some time with her grandsons, who are visiting.

"We wanted to show them Sikeston hospitality," she said. "We also wanted to support the community and its efforts."

Craig-McMahon said she didn't mind the rain, since it was needed by farmers and gardeners. "Good fellowship is rain or shine," she said.

While the event drew a lot of people from Sikeston, people from neighboring towns also came to check out the action. For instance, Dave Glueck and his son Jacob Glueck, both of Oran, came to Sikeston just for the ice cream.

Pratt gave credit to the volunteers who helped and those who came for making it a success. "I've got a very resilient group -- they didn't give up on me," she said. "And I'm very pleased that people stayed. If anything, it shows spirit and dedication."

She wasn't sure exactly how many people attended, since they came and went during the three hours. But at one point, there were more than 100 people there.

Pratt said there was a good mix of people, which she credited to the three performers. "People appreciated Josh's music -- it was young and hip," she said.

Harry Howard played a lot of classics and attracted a different crowd. "He seemed to get a patriotic spirit going, too," Pratt said.

And Logan Toone sounded like a country music star, said Pratt, who had never heard Toone perform. "She got up there and really wowed the crowd," Pratt said.

Based on the success of the first ice cream social, Pratt foresees making it an annual event. "I hope (the weather is) not like this," she said. "But I don't see why we shouldn't do it again."