KPD Santa's Toy Box winners and all those who made things happen
Kirbyville Police Department Santa’s Toy Box Mud Race, Car Show, Emergency Vehicle Show, & Dam Poker Run 2024 a massive success.
Courtesy of: Amanda Gates
This past weekend, we held the Annual KPD Santa’s Toy Box Event. We had some changes this year. We opted not to have the obstacle course or flex ramp. We added two dirt lanes along with the mud pit. This year, we added fencing and had more areas for spectators to set up and watch the races.
Across the street, we had the annual Dam Poker run, with around 20 different participants making the trek from dam to dam. The annual car show is a fan favorite at the event, drawing antique, classic, and custom vehicles from all over southeast Texas.
We also added an Emergency Vehicle Show which brought a huge response from departments all over our area. We were very fortunate to have the Car Show and Emergency Vehicle Show sponsored by Jasper County Sheriff-Elect Chuck Havard.
Car show results
Top five antique cars, in no particular order
1930 Chevy 4-door Ricky Parks from Jasper.
1972 Ford Grand Torino Sport Ty Greer from Orange
1960 Imperial Don Lightfoot from Vidor
1928 Model A. Mark Mannino from Orange
1979 Mercury Cougar James Fowler from Jasper
Top five classic cars, in no particular order
1985 GMC 1500. Jim Moorhouse from Jasper.
1991 Chevy Suburban Steve Mays from Jasper
2006 Ram 2500 Devin Phelps from Kirbyville
1986 Ford Mustang Shane McGee from Kirbyville
Queens Choice
Every year, the Miss Kirbyville Queens come out to pick their favorite. After perusing all the vehicles at the car show, the Queens picked the 1977 Pontiac Firebird (Black and Gold) Trans Am, owned by Jed Morgan.
Emergency Vehicle as the 2024 Queens Choice.
They also picked their favorite Emergency Vehicle, selecting Kirbyville Fire and Rescue as their favorite. KVFD Chief Greg Ellis graciously accepted the pick trophy on behalf of the department.
Emergency Vehicle Show
The first annual Santa's Toy Box Emergency Vehicle Show brought vehicles from 19 departments, including Kirbyville Police, Kirbyville VFD, Jasper County EDS 1, Tri-Community VFD, South Newton County ESD 1, Trout Creek VFD, Orange County ESD 4, Texas A&M Forestry Service, Silsbee Fire and Rescue ESD 6, and Lumberton Fire and EMS.
Kirbyville VFD Steve Sowder worked for a week to get the KVFD #1, a 1951 Ford F7, road ready for the competition. It was a community effort with KPD Sargent Josh Hancock helping to find tires, Ellis Truck Trailer was able to find the 6VDC batteries needed, and Larry Gentry helped with the brakes and escorting the vehicle to the park for the event.
Event goers were given ballots and asked to vote for their favorite truck. After several hours, the votes were tallied, and the winner was the Punisher from Roganville Volunteer Fire Department. RVFD Chief Mike Smith was presented with a $500 donation to his department.
Poker Run
This fundraiser began years ago as a Dam to Dam Poker Run. It is a proud tradition for the bikes to gather first thing in the morning, have a quick meeting, and then head out as the rest of the festival gets underway. Thanks to Frank Erimas, Kelly Tootle, and others for overseeing the Poker Run and ensuring it continues.
Race Winners
Fast Track Consistency Total Payout $6400.00 and winners!!!
1st Jon Gay - Tax Man- $2460
2nd Mike Goodman(Donnie Matter) Maniac $1540
3rd Justin Stark - Noise Complaint $1230
4th Glen Newby - Hulk $615
5th Jon Gay Texas Heat Stroke $305
Fastest Pass Bounty$250.00:
Todd McDonald Redemption $250
Bog Track Consistency Total Payout $2450.00 and winners!!!
1st Matthew Murray -Ole Blue $1100
2nd Casey Casey's Fast As$ $660
3rd Mike Goodman (Donnie Matter) Maniac $440
Fastest Pass Bounty $250.00:
Matthew Murray Old Blue
On the Main Stage
We had excellent music this year, with performances by Christina Greenwood, Seth Stevens, Royboy Collins, The Pegwinders, Tim Burge & the Reckoning, and the Bonami Band. We are very fortunate to have such amazing local talent willing to come play for us every year. RJ Morgan was an amazing.
Auction
Just after noon, we held the auction, facilitated by the amazing Gary Midkiff. The auction had a variety of donated items such as knives, tools, saws, coolers, speakers, and several guns. The big ticket item this year was a custom-made BBQ pit made by Hancock along with Tryce Bono, Mike Smith, Steve Morgan, Jeremy Richardson, Joe Danna, and Shane Loper. The auction alone brought in over several hundred dollars.
Vendors
Every year, KOFA BBQ brings their pit and provides food for the entire festival. They sell BBQ sandwiches, links on buns, and gumbo. The food booth consistently brings in money every year thanks to Lynn Fussell and his whole crew. They serve food all day for eventgoers and volunteers.
We also had several new vendors, including Eva's County Kitchen, Obsession 3d printing, The Macaron Jar, Bin-Up Girls and Ninja Pete Salsa, Lemon Street & Co. LLC, and the Twisters Soccer Club.
Volunteers
This year’s event was a huge success. We have so many people to thank for their efforts to help put this event on.
Josh Hancock – our fearless leader, who starts months in advance to get all of us volunteers to get our butts in gear and get our stuff ready. He takes off a full week before the event to get the field ready, pick up donation items, put up fencing, signs, and tents, coordinate all the volunteers, cook the gumbo, make a giant BBQ trailer, and all the little things needed to put on this fundraiser. I’m almost positive he doesn’t sleep for the two days leading up to the event.
When the event is done, his work isn’t. Once everything is torn down, he then starts working on this year’s list of kids in our community who are in need of gifts. He takes applications, starts shopping, and coordinates toys to be picked up in December.
Hancock and a team of volunteers work tirelessly to make sure the kids in our community wake up on Christmas morning to something from Santa.
There are volunteers and then there is Tammy Fussell. She works alongside Josh most of the year making notes, and keeping lists of supplies, donations, and things that need to be completed. She accompanies him to pick up auction items, helps coordinate volunteers, and basically keeps Josh from forgetting a million different things. Every day, she would go over the list of things to do to make sure nothing is forgotten and that Josh stays on track. Tammy hates being front and center, always standing in the back but ready to help. This event would not have happened without her dedication, attention to detail, and love for her community.
David Littlefield – helped get the field ready every year. You made an invaluable effort to get this festival ready.
RJ Morgan wins for volunteer of the year. This man brought three cars to the car show, a truck to run in the races, worked all day at the starting line with the racers, brought equipment for the stage, coordinated ALL of the music line up, and when the races were over, got on stage and performed.
Glen and Jennifer Newby – we are so grateful for your help and support. The races would not be as successful without your tireless help. You organized the race categories, contacted clubs, promoted the event, organized the payouts, and were responsible for bringing out 30 trucks to the event.
Big Rob Smith helped coordinate and run the races.
Lynn Fussell and his group: Jay St John, Rodolpho Briz, and others. They work hard, cooking all day, and serving food. And it was fabulous.
All the musicians who took time out of their day to come play at the festival.
Jay Durham and Ricky Parks for their invaluable knowledge and expertise in running the car show. We have big plans!
The car show judges – Bobby Reynolds, Chuck Havard, Terry Ross, and others.
The Miss Kirbyville Queens – you are your own publicity factory. We love seeing you every year, taking photos with the cars, and watching you pick your favorite. You help us promote the event and we are so thankful. Also, your trophies are awesome. Thanks to Miss Kirbyville Pageant Director Shanna Loyd who coordinates this for us every year.
ALL THE FIRST RESPONDERS who came out so that kids could see all the awesome volunteers we have in Southeast Texas. It was an amazing response, and we will keep the new tradition going.
If you were hot walking around, imagine how hot the racing volunteers were. They stood out in the hot sun with dirt and mud flying all day to run the races. We appreciate your efforts.
Jasper County Sheriff Elect Church Havard, who sponsored the Car and Emergency Vehicle Show. Thank you for supporting the event and our mission to provide toys for children.
Roganville VFD for helping with water for the mud and KVFD for helping put the bonfire out that was still burning a week later.
Dylan Lynch, who stood by the race track for hours filming and photographing the races. He had the video cut and uploaded in less than 24 hours. He has filmed for the last three years, and we use the videos to create promotions for next year’s event. He does the work for free, allowing us to advertise without spending a fortune. In exchange, we tolerate him, hence the nickname he was bestowed.
Gates Photography for making the event flyers for the past several years.
Several volunteers work every year alongside Hancock – we have between 30 to 40 volunteers who help, so if we left a name off, it is because we are still tired and our brains aren’t working.
Craig Fussell
Mike Smith – apparently Mike will do anything you need if you give him a golf cart.
Wayne Hughes - who helps mow year round, put up fencing, and anything we ask him to do.
Matt
Bridget
Tracy Burns
Andy Carrell
Curtis Washington
Sponsors – donated money or supplies:
Jenny’s Fried Chicken
Elijah’s Café in Kirbyville
Weaver Motors - thanks for bringing vehicles and signs for the car show
Venture Global LNG
Crime Stoppers Southeast Texas
Special thanks
Mayor Frank George and Kirbyville City Council for allowing us to hold the event every year.
Kirbyville Light and Power – for making sure the power stays on.
And Josh said I had to put Amanda Gates, which I included under duress.
Finally, to the community for coming out every year to support the event. We would not be able to raise money to purchase presents for children without your support.
Below is the link to video and photos provided by Gates Photography and Videographer Dylan Lynch
