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Pettit, Sedledzky are parade marshals
Jason Ferguson
Published: Thursday, July 26th, 2012 |
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By Jason Ferguson
Long-time Custer residents and Gold Discovery Day enthusiasts Fran Pettit and Ed Sedledzky have been named this year’s Gold Discovery Days parade marshals.
The Pettit family moved to Custer in January 1957 and immediately became immersed in Gold Discovery Days. Her oldest daughter, Janet, was a rosebud in the Pageant of Paha Sapa. From that moment on, all of their family eventually took part in the pageant. Her three daughters, Janet, Pam and Nancy, all took a turn as flowers, sunbeams and other pageant roles.
“They were so pleased when they were chosen to be the leader of their group, or even ‘the storm,’”â��Pettit said. “Nancy had the honor of being Miss Gold Discovery Days.”
Pettit started as a petal in the sunflower in the pageant and also played the sun, a tree and many years in the living flag. The most memorable role was the year her daughter Nancy and she were part of playing the Metz family. She said at that time, they actually set the covered wagon on fire. Her husband, Louisâ��“Punk”â��Pettit, enjoyed playing the part of a gold miner.
“I enjoyed it when my kids were little, because it was so exciting for them,”â��Pettit said of Gold Discovery Days. “It was a really important time of year.”
Pettit later served on the Gold Discovery Days board for several years. She helped prepare and fit costumes for the children.
“That took a lot of mending, washing and ironing,”â��she said.
The next year, she helped supervise children and direct them to their entry in the pageant. She recalls it being a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. When she wasn’t working on the pageant, she also helped construct a number of floats for the parade, and even rode on a few. Gold Discovery Days always meant a lot of company visiting from town, as well.
“It was a good way to be a part of the community and work with a lot of great people,”â��she said.
These days, Pettit, now 82, said she still makes it downtown to watch the parade every year and loves to watch the bed races as well. She also enjoys walking through the arts and crafts festival.
When she found out she was chosen as one of this year’s marshals, she was taken back.
“Iâ��said, ‘I’m happy you chose me, but I don’t know why,’”â��she said with a laugh. “It’s a very nice honor.”
Sedledzky, 72, said his initial reaction to being named a marshal was that he was not worthy of being chosen, but called his selection an honor.
Sedledzky moved to Custer in 1967 and began participating in Gold Discovery Days the next year.
“Iâ��have been in the parade just about every year,”â��he said.
His parade involvement included being in the color guard that leads the parade, and on a variety of different floats. One year, on behalf of the Custer County Library, he dressed as a miner and walked through the parade with a donkey.
“Iâ��drug my ass through the parade,”â��he said with a laugh.
Sedledzky said he used to be a big fan of the Pageant of Paha Sapa and still enjoys being in the parade in some form or fashion each year. He also enjoys the reunion-type atmosphere Gold Discovery Days brings.
“It’s a good way for people to get reacquainted with each other. My wife grew up here and friends and family get together,”â��he said.â��“Iâ��have two daughters coming out this week.”
Long-time Custer residents and Gold Discovery Day enthusiasts Fran Pettit and Ed Sedledzky have been named this year’s Gold Discovery Days parade marshals. The Pettit family moved to Custer in January 1957 and immediately became immersed in Gold Discovery Days. Her oldest daughter, Janet, was a rosebud in the Pageant of Paha Sapa. From that moment on, all of their family eventually took part in the pageant. Her three daughters, Janet, Pam and Nancy, all took a turn as flowers, sunbeams and other pageant roles. “They were so pleased when they were chosen to be the leader of their group, or even ‘the storm,’”â��Pettit said. “Nancy had the honor of being Miss Gold Discovery Days.” Pettit started as a petal in the sunflower in the pageant and also played the sun, a tree and many years in the living flag. The most memorable role was the year her daughter Nancy and she were part of playing the Metz family. She said at that time, they actually set the covered wagon on fire. Her husband, Louisâ��“Punk”â��Pettit, enjoyed playing the part of a gold miner. Available only in the print version of the Custer County Chronicle. To subscribe, call 605-673-2217. Click Here To See More Stories Like This |
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