Cold Weather Plays A Factor In Busy Saturday Activities

With a splash of color, runners made their way through the United Way 5k on Saturday.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – An unusually cold spring day greeted Oskaloosa this Saturday, as its residents headed off to a multitude of events taking place around town.

The Master Gardeners held their annual plant sale at the ISU Extension building. The young plants were protected from the threat of frost by being housed inside the building.

Out at William Penn at the PAC, the United Way 5k Color Run was getting set for an 8:30 run on the Lacey Recreation Trail. Dozens of participants made their way through the various color stations on the way to the finish line.

At the Mahaska Communications Group parking lot, the Oskaloosa Bicycle Coalition hosted their annual bike rodeo.

This event gives young riders an opportunity to brush up on their skills, and have adults inspect their bicycles to make sure they are safe for the roads.

Taking off for herself on her own for the very first time, this young Oskaloosa bicycle rider enjoys the bicycle rodeo.

Dylan Mulfinger, who was with the Oskaloosa Bicycle Coalition, said that it appears the number of participants was double that of last year.

The Oskaloosa Police Department, along with the Oskaloosa Fire Department, State Farm and Bobzilla’s Bicycle Werks helped to make the day possible.

As we interviewed Mulfinger, one young lady whom he had been helping learn to ride a bike took her first laps around the course. “Oh yeah… Look at that. Someone learned to ride a bike today,” said an excited Mulfinger.

Out at Forest Cemetery, volunteers helped out by raking and cleaning up sticks and other debris that had collected since the rain storms of the past week.

Mark Walker with Forest Cemetery said that nearly 20 volunteers took part in the morning effort.

Walker said that attention will now be turned towards a row with nearly 30 headstones to fix. Those headstones were damaged by vandals says Walker.

“It’s good to have the community involved,” says Walker. “It’s like a park, besides a cemetery. People come out here to walk their dogs and everything.”

“It’s good to see people out here,” says Walker.

Over at the Oskaloosa Elementary School, the annual ‘Chalk The Walk’ event was taking place.

‘Chalk The Walk’ is a promotional and fundraiser sponsored by the William Penn University radio station, which helps to provide funds for Operation Backpack. Operation Backpack provides school supplies for those less fortunate in the community.

Oskaloosa Elementary School Principal Mike Dursky enjoys the year event, and the opportunity to partner with William Penn University and the community, “to bring kids on campus, to bring families on campus to encourage that cooperation.”

That cooperation for Dursky is important. “Both schools need to work together and it’s important that they work together. It’s the best for our kids.”

Dursky hopes to see even more people take part in “Chalk the Walk’ next year.

Fatal Addiction played at the 4th Annual Marty Davidson Motorcycle Show on Saturday.

Over at the Oskaloosa Library, the Des Moines Bicycle Collective was on hand to share their knowledge about bicycles and bicycle safety. The group gathers unwanted bicycles, refurbishes them and then passes them out to needy riders.

The day ended with the 4th Annual Marty Davidson Motorcycle Show at the Cellar Peanut Pub. There, awards for different classes were presented. Live music was performed by Journey’s End and Fatal Addiction.