Local community members to be honored during Hootin an Hollarin

Each year during Hootin an Hollarin, festival organizers take a little time out of the hustle and bustle of activity to give some well-deserved recognition to a few stand-out community members. At this year’s festival, the following people will be recognized on the main stage (read more about each of them in the Hootin an Hollarin festival guide):

Citizen of the year

Karen Brantingham, Noble

The 2023 Barney Douglas Citizen of the Year award was awarded to Karen Brantingham of Noble for her work in countless community efforts including the Angel Tree program that provides Christmas gifts to underprivileged children, the former Relay for Life events which raised money for the American Cancer Society, Mammoth Assembly of God Vacation Bible School and other church events, Hootin an Hollarin committee for her work helping to organize the costume parade and outhouse/bed races, time as a Gainesville School Board member, the Ozark County Wellness Committee and several other efforts. 

Brantingham will be recognized on the main stage during the Hootin an Hollarin queen pageant while the pageant judges are tallying their votes. The queen pageant begins at 7 p.m. The Barney Douglas Citizen of the Year award recipient is chosen annually by the Gainesville Lions Club. The award is named in honor of the late Barney Douglas for many years of volunteer service to the community. 

Parade marshals

Kenny and LaVese Ericksen

The 2023 Hootin an Hollarin parade marshals are Kenny and LaVese Erickson, who have spent the last 10 years volunteering their time with the Hootin an Hollarin committee to put on each year’s festival. 

LaVese has served as a booth and vendor chairman with co-chair Barbara Luna since 2013. She is stepping down this year to a consultant-only role as her other life commitments are now requiring more of her time. 

When LaVese took on the job of booth chairman, she enlisted her husband Kenny, an independent contractor, to serve as the Hootin an Hollarin electrician. He takes care of all of the electrical stations and other needs ahead of the festival, as well as serving as an on-call electrician when issues arise during the festivities. 

Kenny and LaVese will also be honored on stage during tallying of the queen pageant votes Thursday night. The parade marshals are chosen by the Hootin an Hollarin committee each year. 

Farmers recognized

VanRankens and Debbie Cooper

The VanRanken family has been named the 2023 Ozark County Farm Family and will be recognized on stage Saturday just before the 2 p.m. big parade. Debbie Cooper will also be honored on stage at the same time as the owner of a “century farm,” a 225 acre farm near Dora that originally belonged to her great-grandfather Tol Collins and has remained in the family for 225 years.