Daily Reporter staff reports
SHIRLEY — Residents of the small Hancock County town of Shirley, established in 1890, are preparing to celebrate its 126th anniversary.
The festivities will begin with the crowning of the Shirley Founders’ Day queen and princess, 7 p.m. Aug. 18, at the shelter house at Shirley Park, at the intersection of South and Center streets.
Voting for the princess and queen will be determined by penny votes, with collection cups available at various locations throughout the county, including the Marathon gas station, 407 Main St., and Shirley Hardware, 311 Main St.
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Opening ceremonies begin at 5 p.m. Aug. 19, starting with a flag raising by the Shirley Cub Scouts. The announcement of the David L. Estell Civic Award and the introduction of the queen and princess and entertainment will follow.
The Estell award is given annually at the Shirley Founders Day celebration to someone who has made significant contributions to the town. To win the award, a person must be nominated by others.
The Shirley Historical Society booth opens at 6 p.m.
The schedule for the rest of the weekend’s events is as follows:
Aug. 20
» 9:30 a.m.: Parade lineup; judging starts for antique cars, tractors and floats.
» 10:30 a.m.: Parade
» 12 p.m.: Trophies awarded; entertainment, booth games and yard sales open
» 6:30 p.m.: Talent show prelude
» 7 p.m.: Talent contest with Darrell Ford, master of ceremonies
Starting at noon, there will be a chicken noodle dinner served at the Jane Ross Reeves Octagon House, 400 Railroad St.
Throughout the day, tours will be held of historical sites in Shirley, including the Octagon House, the historic Dr. Ralph Wilson office at the corner of Railroad and Main streets, and the Shirley Railroad Depot, 402 S. Railroad St. These are all sites cared for by the Shirley Historical Society.
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Princess candidates
- Kaitlynn Marshall, daughter of Willie and Jamie Marshall of Shirley and Larry and Dawn Spencer of Carthage, attends Eastern Hancock Elementary School
- Stephanie Sotelo, daughter of Steven and Candi Sotelo of Carthage, attends Eastern Hancock Elementary School
- Isabella Sotelo, daughter of Steven and Candi Sotelo of Carthage, attends Eastern Hancock Elementary School
- Bently Marshall, daughter of Willie and Jamie Marshall of Shirley, attends Eastern Hancock Elementary School.
- Makinnzi Marshall, daughter of Willie and Jamie Marshall of Shirley, attends Eastern Hancock Elementary School
- Olivia Gray, daughter of Tracy and Angela Gray of Shirley, attends Eastern Hancock Elementary School
- Macey Denger, daughter of Stacy Coomer of Shirley and Chad Denger of Wilkinson, attends Eastern Hancock Middle School
- Erika Marshall, daughter of Willie and Jamie Marshall of Shirley and Larry and Dawn Spencer of Carthage, attends Eastern Hancock Elementary School.
Queen candidates
- Kayla Huff, daughter of Thomas and Heather Huff of Shirley, attends Eastern Hancock High School
- Samantha Gray, daughter of Tracy and Angela Gray, of Shirley, attends Eastern Hancock High School
- Violet Alexander, daughter of Melvin and Nicole Alexander of Shirley, attends Knightstown Intermediate School
- Alexis Taylor, daughter of Rick and Eileen Taylor of Shirley, attends Eastern Hancock High School.
- Jaiden Cook, daughter of Chuck Cook of Wilkinson and Tina Lyles of New Castle, attends Knightstown Intermediate School
- Bailey Marshall, daughter of James and Tammy Marshall of Knightstown, attends Knightstown High School
- Abigale Manning, daughter of Tiffany Manning of Shirley and Jason and Nicki Manning of New Castle, attends Eastern Hancock Middle School.
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