Columbus Days royalty crowned

COLUMBUS - About 225 loyal subjects gathered at the New World Inn to celebrate the coronation of Queen Isabella XXXIII Elda Reinhardt and King Ferdinand XXXIII John McPhail.

The pair will reign over this year's annual Columbus Days celebration which runs through Sunday.

See a complete Columbus Days schedule at columbustelegram.com/pix/cdays.pdf

“It is such an honor to be chosen for this. I'm truly humbled by it all,” Reinhardt said. “This is such a giving community with so many giving people.”

McPhail said it was an honor to be chosen and to be named among those in the community whose volunteerism has had such an important and significant impact.

“The main duties of the Columbus Days king and queen is to reign over the Columbus Days activities, ride in the parade and then to function as an ambassador for the city and the chamber in the following year.”

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce President K.C. Belitz acknowledged the contribution of all the kings and queens of the annual Columbus Days events.

“Truly Columbus would not be what it is today without the contribution and volunteerism provided by this year's king and queen and the 64 who have come before them,” Belitz said.

Columbus Days activities will continue through the week. The community band concert and “Moovie in the Square” Thursday night kicks off an extended weekend of events. A community Prayer Breakfast will be held at 7 a.m. Friday at Highland Park Church. The breakfast is free, and no ticket is required.

Friday night, the ducks will hit the river for the United Way Duck River Run. At the same time, the Community Picnic and Pet Show will be held in Pawnee Park.

The Columbus Barbecue Classic will again be a highlight of Columbus Days. Vendors will be serving barbecue ribs and other items Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. in the TierOne Bank parking lot on 26th Avenue and 15th Street.

This year's vendors include Whiskey Creek, McKenna's, Wunderlich's, Smoke Shack BBQ, Husker House, and Famous Dave's. The Barbecue Classic is sponsored by TierOne and the Columbus Telegram.

A variety of events are scheduled at locations around town on Saturday and Sunday. Frankfort Square entertainment and booths will be open starting at 8 a.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. Sunday. The Columbus Days Parade will be begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5.

This year's annual celebration is sponsored by the Columbus Days committee and Columbus Days corporate sponsors including Vishay Intertechnology Inc., Columbus United Federal Credit Union, YellowBook USA, Hy-Vee, First National Bank, and Columbus Community Hospital.