Seventy years ago, Ridgeway had two big events. First, the North Missouri Fox Hunter’s Association met in Ridgeway September 20-24 to hold the 46th annual camp and races. They held four races, all starting at 2 am. “Committeemen have investigated the hunting ground and report plenty of foxes”, so they were expecting good hunting. In addition to the races, they held a horse show at the Ridgeway school athletic field on the first night of the races which included a “drill by the Northwest Boots and Saddle Club” and singing by the Girls from the Purple Sage. The last night of races had bench show for the dogs running in the races (except the puppies) on the final night of the races at the Ridgeway City Park and the finals of the “farm and home talent show” of the radio station KIOA of Des Moines, Iowa. Among the officers and board members helping to run the camp and races were Ridgeway residents Virgil Jennings as assistant master of hounds and Jesse Meek who served on the board of directors. (St. Joseph News Press, 9/16/1954)
The Ridgeway Lions Club kicked off the week of races and fun with a dance at the school field house on September 17, 1954. Music was provided by the Fox Hunters’ Orchestra.
The second big event of the month was a turkey shoot held on September 26 on the Claude Maxwell farm 1 1/2 miles west of Ridgeway on Rt A. This was also sponsored by the Ridgeway Lions Club and a free turkey was going to be given away. (Bethany Republican-Clipper, 9/22/1954)
