By MINDY KEPFIELD

Staff writer

Nearly three inches of rain that drenched Florence late Friday night canceled some of its Labor Day events, but didn’t dampen the spirits of those who turned out to celebrate.

Part of a new car show and a softball tournament were scrapped, but a 100th birthday celebration for Grandview Park, peddle pull, turtle races, and parade went off without a hitch when the skies cleared.

About 50 showed up Saturday night to dance to Sam Unruh and the Matt Engels Band.

“We had a great turnout for a town the size of Florence,” organizer Melvin Honeyfield said.

A muddy ball field didn’t stop the Harvey Boys and How House Griffens from competing in the 1860s vintage baseball game. The Harvey Boys won 20-9.

“The infield was muddy so they had to play on grass,” said Honeyfield, “It was no big deal.”

On Sunday night, fireworks by organizer Randy Dallke lighted up the sky for nearly 30 minutes to the cheers of the crowd that surrounded the ball park.

“Randy does a really good job,” Honeyfield said. “It was longer this year than last year, and everybody enjoyed the fireworks.”

Winners of contests:

Button drawing for $150: Steve Gayle

Parade float winners: Florence Historical Society, first; Florence Chamber of Commerce, second; Marion-Florence FFA Chapter, third.

Car show trophy winners:

Leroy Parks, 1993 Dodge Ram; Rodney Williams, 1996 Chevrolet Pickup; Jim Bliss, 1973 Corvette; John Lennebecker, 2011 Camaro SS; Shannon Britton, 1973 Nova; Travis Parmley, 1971 Chevrolet C10; Drew Looper, 1981 Jeep; Florence Fire Department, 1972 C50.

Kids Pedal Pull Tractor Winners:

Four year olds: Harper Bryant, 21 feet.

Five year olds: William Zimmerman, 30 feet.

Six year olds: Rylee Wyss, first, 30 feet; Shalayna Yepma, second, 26.10 feet; Lilly Lopez, third, 28.8 feet.

Eight year olds: Trent Summervill, first, 30 feet; Wyatt McBride, second, 19.5 feet.

Nine year olds: Lilly Bottiger, first, 29.6 feet; Paul Weber, second, 28.18 feet; Emma Bryant, third, 24.2 feet.

10 year olds: Landon Hendricks, first, 30 feet; Carter Bottiger, second, 30 feet, re-pull 27.6 feet; Calli Hendricks, third, 28.5 feet.

11 year olds: Shelby Summervill, 23.1 feet.

12 year olds Rusty Ballinger, 30 feet.

13 year olds: Landon Bryant first, 38.3 feet; James Rohloff, second, 16.6 feet.