Kevin Rushton (left), who brought his traveling military history museum “Visions Through Time” to the Markleville Jamboree, talks to visitor Lance Stevens. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Carson Carpenter drives a tractor across the finish line of the children’s obstacle course event during Markleville Jamboree. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Kappa Delta Phi Sorority Psi Phi Chapter served up its Homemade Chicken Noodle Dinner Friday during the Markleville Jamboree. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Kylie Filbrun of Pendleton enjoys a bowl of her Oreo ice cream she bought from V & J’s Rolled Ice Cream during the Markleville Jamboree, where she was helping with a group from Brightpoint Church. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
On Air, a band from Pendleton, performs Friday during Markleville Jamboree. Pictured (from left) are Mason Birden (guitarist), Chloe Erdos (lead singer and keyboardist), Jett Haddix (drummer) and bass guitarist Janie Harshbarger. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
On Air drummer Jett Haddix plays at the Markleville Jamboree on Friday. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Wrestler Tyson Lane works the crowd at Markleville Jamboree. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Wrestler Tyson Lane interacts with members of the Cult X wrestling group during Markleville Jamboree. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Cult X wrestler Luke Loveless uses a cane to subdue his opponent, Tyson Lane, during an All-Star Championship Wrestling match at Markleville Jamboree on Friday. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
A crowd — including the five boys seated together (from left) Miles Rich, Parker Rich, Owen McAllister, Drew Smith and Aiden Cookstone — cheers on wrestling at Markleville Jamboree. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Dallas Woods brought his sons Mason, Deuce and Manny to the traveling military history museum “Visions Through Time” at Markleville Jamboree. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
On Air, a band from Pendleton, performs Friday during Markleville Jamboree.
A crowd watches an All-Star Championship Wrestling match during Markleville Jamboree.
A crowd watches an All-Star Championship Wrestling match during Markleville Jamboree.
A crowd watches an All-Star Championship Wrestling match during Markleville Jamboree. Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Pet Princess winner Luna with owner Teresa Hoppe.
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Bobo Brazil Jr. was the wrestling main event winner.
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Laura Flood (left) winner of the Best Cookie contest, with jamboree committee member Chris Arens.
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Mary Doty, Mounds State Park Master Naturalist, gives a talk about turtles.
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Pet Prince winner Titan with owner Dania Flood.
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MARKLEVILLE — Dallas Woods and his three sons strolled through the traveling military history museum “Visions Through Time” on Friday during Markleville Jamboree.
“I always enjoy showing my sons just a little piece of history,” Woods said, as he, Mason, Manny and Deuce looked at military memorabilia representing conflicts throughout U.S. history.
The museum along with other new events — including a wrestling event and a magic show — helped lead to a successful three-day celebration, according to organizer Dianna Smith.
“I think it turned out real well. We had good attendance,” Smith said.
“People enjoyed the shows. The new ones, the wrestling, we had a lot of people show up for that.
“Elfie, he put on a good show,” she said, describing the magic act performed on Saturday by Nathan Davis, owner of Magication Station in Pendleton. “Kids loved him.
“We had a lot of people show up for bingo,” she said. And, “We had a lot of entries for our cookie contest, too.”
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Smith said she thinks the new acts will be invited back to the jamboree next year.
Elfie might return to town before then, she said, if he’s available.
“The park board was even talking about inviting Elfie to our Christmas program,” she said.
Jan Fox, who serves on the event committee that handles the jamboree, said the jamboree drew bigger than normal crowds.
“The attendance this year was way above what it normally is,” Fox said, citing good weather and the low cost (most things are free) as possible reasons.
Fox said many event areas were near capacity for activities, such as the Hedgehog Hanna animal show.
Smith said there was great participation in the jamboree’s contests.
Laura Flood won first place in the Best Cookie contest, with Rachel Deaton placing second and Jean Fox placing third.
Pet Prince and Princess winners were Titan (owner Dania Flood) and Luna (owner Teresa Hoppe), respectively.
Quiz bowl team winners were Amy Claxon and Mary and Doug Tupling, first place; Wayne and Ryan Fox, second place; and Chris Arens and Teresa Stoops, third place.
Fox said for next year, to help keep the jamboree successful, organizers again “plan to find some different things to entertain people.”
During the opening ceremony on Friday, three people — two of whom died earlier this year — were recognized for their years of contributions to the jamboree.
Ron Peavler and the late Von Smith were honored for decades of efforts.
“They both had dedicated a lot of time to the antique tractors and the tractor pull,” jamboree volunteer Jan Fox said. The two “built the scales and created and maintained the tractor pull track and area, probably at least 30 years.”
Fox said Peavler ran his last jamboree tractor pull, which was “real successful,” on Sunday.
She said organizers are looking for someone to step up and run the event going forward, but that it might be the end for tractor pulls at the jamboree.
The third person mentioned was the late John Wable, who ran Fat John’s Walleye Wagon at the jamboree for many years.
Jamboree organizer Smith said the Walleye Wagon likely will be back in the future under the operation of Wable family members.