Hampton’s Summerfest offered classic cars, beer and a “rockin’ band”

HAMPTON – The Summerfest event held in Hampton Saturday and organized by the Chamber of Greater Franklin County had a terrific turnout.

Sponsored by D. T.’s Roadhouse, Hampton’s Summerfest 2013 started Friday night with a sixty mile Classic Car Cruise at 6:00 pm. There was a beer garden and live music at Band Shell Park with Jesse Allen Stewart and Standing Hampton.

“Very nice night at Summerfest — nice to have an ‘adult night’ and a beverage garden with a rockin’ band,” said Pat Palmer of Hampton. “It’s great to see us move back into the 21st Century to keep up with other communities who are making money at their town celebrations.”

Saturday afternoon, Summerfest had a wide variety of activities. There was a Car Show, KLMJ/KQCR Antique Tractor Cruise, a Bean Bag Tournament (sponsored by Pit Row Pub), inflatables, food stands and music by the Whitesidewalls.

Booker T. Custom of Eldora, Iowa, “Fine Art with Air”, was happily giving Temporary Airbrush Tattoos to young and old alike, “The young kids are going around showing off their tats with pride. Well, the big kids are too,” said Booker with a chuckle. “We stay very busy from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We go to a lot of small town celebrations, as well as birthday parties and special events. People really enjoy getting the tats.” The tats are only $5.00 to $8.00.

There were 81 vehicles registered for the Car Show and the participants voted on the Top 55 and Best in Show.

The cars came from all over Iowa and Minnesota. Some were from Shell Rock, Cedar Falls, Dumont, Lake Mills, Waverly, St. Ansgar, Mason City, Clear Lake, Plymouth and many other towns, as well as Hampton.

The overall Best in Show Trophy went to Don Warneke of Hampton, for his 1968 Camero. Beside his Award winning car sat a mini version of the Camero.

The Trophies were designed and made by T & J Machine and Tool and presented by Jeff Spear and announced by Norm Holm.

There were many inflatables for the kids. Cristian Castillo, age 6, of Hampton was having a great time in the Bungee Basketball balloon. The object was to make two baskets before your competitor, while wearing a jacket with a bungee cord holding you back, away from the hoop.

Summerfest 2013 concluded Saturday evening with music by Morgan Alexander and Erica Nicole at Band Shell Park.