Barbecue was "biggest and best ever"

"Hi-yo, Silver! Away!" Democrat Photo/Roberts While the ponies at the Wheaton Fire Department's 54th annual barbecue were not inclined to chase criminals or carry their riders off into the sunset, children were thrilled at the opportunity to ride one of man's oldest companions. The ride was one of the highlights at this year's event.

The day's activities got underway with the 18th annual Spud McCracken Memorial Horseshoe Tournament. At 11 a.m., volunteer firefighters began serving chicken, which was barbecued over open fire pits. The department also offered pulled pork dinners.

"We sold out of everything," Lombard said. "There were over 1,200 chicken halves sold. I don't know how many pulled pork meals were sold."

Free rides for children opened at 1 p.m.

"They started running like crazy and didn't stop until the rides shut down at 9 p.m.," Lombard said. "There were 35 sponsors for the free rides."

The evening highlight for the Wheaton Fire Department's 54th annual barbecue was the duck race.

"A record number of ducks were sold," Lombard said. "We had 750 this year, the most ever."

Cash prizes awarded to the first five ducks that reached the checkered finish line in the annual race. First prize, in the amount of $500, went to Millard Andrews, of Cassville.

Other winners were: Becky Sullivan, of Monett, second prize, $250; Whitney Shields, of Washburn, third prize, $125; Carroll Craig, of Cassville, fourth prize, $75; and Rodney Hughes, of Cassville, fifth prize, $50.

The race is on Democrat Photo/Roberts Twins Ben Stanley, in the red car, and Joshua Stanley, in the green car, were practicing those Dukes of Hazard corner maneuvers on Saturday at the Wheaton Fire Department's 54th annual barbecue. The 1-year-old boys seemed to enjoy taking turns at the wheel in one of the kid-friendly rides at the picnic.

"The community and the department all had a huge hand in making this year's barbecue a success," added Lombard. "They helped make this a great day."

The Wheaton Fire Department's 55th annual barbecue is slated to take place Aug. 24, 2013. Proceeds from the annual event are used to purchase equipment for the volunteer fire department.

And they're off Democrat Photo/Melonie Roberts Members of the Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department gave the ducks a helping hand -- or spray -- to keep the current flowing during the annual duck race on Saturday. Five winners were announced at the annual event, with the first prize winner receiving $500. A total of 750 ducks were entered into this year's competition.