• Article Photo. Quanah Caughron helps his mom, Amy Sharar, make balloon animals for children.
    Quanah Caughron helps his mom, Amy Sharar, make balloon animals for children.
  • Article Photo. Children react as they watch the hamster race.
    Children react as they watch the hamster race.
  • Article Photo. VSHS cheerleader Destiny Loney paints the face of Jonathan Mosher.
    VSHS cheerleader Destiny Loney paints the face of Jonathan Mosher.
  • Article Photo. Erin Randall helps Max Young try to toss a ring over the seal's nose...
    Erin Randall helps Max Young try to toss a ring over the seal's nose...
  • Article Photo. ... then looks up as Max tosses the ring high over her head.
    ... then looks up as Max tosses the ring high over her head.
  • Article Photo. Alex Hockaday, another visitor to Vinton, tosses a football at a cup.
    Alex Hockaday, another visitor to Vinton, tosses a football at a cup.
  • Article Photo. The Schmidt Family Band has added new songs to their routine for this year.
    The Schmidt Family Band has added new songs to their routine for this year.
  • Article Photo. The Goose Man, Paul Messerschmidt, answers questions about his pet geese.
    The Goose Man, Paul Messerschmidt, answers questions about his pet geese.
  • Article Photo. These five cousins came to Vinton to go to Party in the Park with their grandparents.
    These five cousins came to Vinton to go to Party in the Park with their grandparents.
  • Article Photo. Families decorated bikes and other wheeled vehicles for the Kiddie Parade.
    Families decorated bikes and other wheeled vehicles for the Kiddie Parade.
  • Article Photo. The Goose Man's flock leads the Kiddie Parade.
    The Goose Man's flock leads the Kiddie Parade.
  • Article Photo. The Goose Man jokes with VS football players before the parade.
    The Goose Man jokes with VS football players before the parade.
  • Article Photo. Children lined up at Farmers Savings Bank for the annual Kiddie Parade.
    Children lined up at Farmers Savings Bank for the annual Kiddie Parade.
  • Article Photo. Junior Grand Marshals were Wes Lyons and Kelsey Mahood.
    Junior Grand Marshals were Wes Lyons and Kelsey Mahood.
  • Article Photo. Peyton Gill went to the Kiddie Parade in a shark costume.
    Peyton Gill went to the Kiddie Parade in a shark costume.
  • Article Photo. Evan Smith went to the Kiddie Parade with his scooter decorated as a horse.
    Evan Smith went to the Kiddie Parade with his scooter decorated as a horse.
  • Article Photo. John's Quik Stop staff members passed out balloons before the Kiddie Parade began.
    John's Quik Stop staff members passed out balloons before the Kiddie Parade began.
  • Article Photo. Farmers Savings Bank staff cooked and served hundreds of hot dogs for the community picnic.
    Farmers Savings Bank staff cooked and served hundreds of hot dogs for the community picnic.
  • Article Photo. Sammy Lundvall gives a goose a drink from a soda bottle.
    Sammy Lundvall gives a goose a drink from a soda bottle.
  • Article Photo. Destiny Slager holds the Goose Man's ferret in her hood.
    Destiny Slager holds the Goose Man's ferret in her hood.

     You would have had to see it for yourself to believe it, but Vinton's 2011 Party in the Park weekend began Thursday night with geese that knew when it was time to start. 

     The Goose Man, Paul Messerschmidt, brought several of his trained geese to Vinton to entertain and teach the crowd. The geese made their way toward the front of the line of children who had gathered go from the Farmers Bank parking lot to the courthouse lawn on foot, bikes, and other wheeled vehicles.

     The geese seemed to wander around on Fourth Street for a while, but when a Vinton police officer escorting the parade turned on his lights, the geese -- in two lines-- began following the car down the street. 

      Junior Grand Marshals Kelsey Mahood and Wes Lyons, escorted by members of the Vinton-Shellsburg football team, followed the geese, and hundreds of children followed them to the courthouse. 

    Along with two jugglers, the geese, and the Schmidt Family Band, there were many activities and games for children to play, and many vendors selling a variety of refreshments. 

     Party in the Park resumes Friday at Riverside Park, and continues on Saturday, with fireworks both nights.