Howdy Neighbor Days in Pierce City

The dragon ride from J&J Magic Midway is a popular feature at Howdy Neighbor Days. According to a carnival spokesman, the 2012 event was one of the best for carnival operators in 20 years. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)
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The ladies attending this year's Howdy Neighbor Days festival got a treat during the Mr. Sexy Legs contest on Saturday. This year's winning line-up is pictured above. From left, are: Mr. Whitest Legs James Talkington, Mr. Sexy Legs Jeremy Skocy, Mr. Hairiest Legs Tim Cruz, and Mr. Skinny Legs Thomas Rexon. All runners-up received a sash and arose for their participation in the contest. Skocy received a bouquet of pink roses, a pink and white crown, and a goody bag filled with lotions, potions, razors and panty hose to keep his fine legs in shape for next year's contest. [Times Photos by Melonie Roberts] (Times Photo by Melonie Roberts)
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Jeremy Skocy, the winner of the Mister Sexy Legs contest, strolls hand in hand down the Midway with his wife. (Times Photo by Melonie Roberts)
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Seven contestants battled for the title of Howdy Neighbor Days Idol at the Howdy Neighbor Days Festival on Saturday in Pierce City. Will Turner, above, took the top prize with his three songs, "Me and God," "Suspicious Minds" and "Long Black Train." Taking second was K.C. Hackney, Amanda Novack took third place. Also competing were Travis Mace, Kim Velten, Aubrey Donaldson and Michelle Barnes. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)
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The youngest contestant in the hay bale toss gave his all to show his manliness at Howdy Neighbor Days. He picked up the bale then dropped it. (Times Photo by Melonie Roberts)
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The girls from the Totally unTamed, a country music ensemble made of local high school girls, performed at Howdy Neighbor Days. Shown, from left, are, Miranda Garrer,of Nixa, Rachel Wendler, of Springfield, and Jacy Taylor, of Purdy. Joining the group recently and singing in Pierce City with them was Alex Robinson, of Springfield. They sang songs such as "Georgia Peaches." "Here's One for the Girls" and "Picture to Burn." (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)
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Diane Nelson captured the blue ribbon for her Wizard of Oz quilt at this year's Howdy Neighbor Days quilt contest. Second place honors went to Lorene Young for a butterfly quilt, and third place went to Clear Creek Trading Com-pany for a colorful patch-work entry. (Times Photo by Melonie Roberts)
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Jeremy Skocy, pictured above, was the winner of the hay bale tossing contest at this year's Howdy Neighbor Days festival in Pierce City. The event took place on Saturday afternoon prior to the midway opening at 4 p.m. Prior to that, the pie contest saw two entrants. First place went to Mary Lou Lakin for her zucchini pie, and second place went to Dannett Skocy for her strawberry cheesecake entry. (Times Photo by Melonie Roberts)
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Clear Creek was so low for the Howdy Neighbor Days duck race that organizers drove a Gator through the stream to rearrange rocks to make a passable stream. The race usually starts at the bridge at rear. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)
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Despite the low water, the duck race at Howdy Neighbor Days developed quite a spread within the flock in the dash for the finish. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)
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Around a dozen ducks reached the finish line in the Howdy Neighbor Days duck race first, but it took the push of others arriving behind them to push one of the plastic ducks across the finish line. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)
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The duck race at Howdy Neighbor Days on Saturday in Pierce City was one of the most unusual and tightest in years., With Clear Creek at its lowest levels in years, organizers cut the raceway in half and dammed up a channel for a faster course. Although edges of the flock fell away as the race progressed, a mass of plastic ducks reached the finish line together. Ben Slagle plucked out the first place finisher. Jimmy Fellows, the owner of #170, claimed the $500 cash prize. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)
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The entire field in the nail driving contest at Howdy Neighbor Days. The winner completed the task in three blows. (Times Photo by Melonie Roberts)
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Grandpa and Garrett Endicott enjoyed the sights at Howdy Neighbor Days. (Times Photo by Melonie Roberts)
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