Mud bowl is a splash

The first Mud Bowl was held in Engler Park on Saturday and brought out people of all ages to throw care to the wind and get muddy while playing assorted games.

The idea for such an event came when John Bader, of Farmington Parks and Recreation, saw that other areas were doing similar events and saw an opportunity to bring the fun to Engler Park. He mentioned the idea to the Parks and Recreation department’s director, Chris Conway, who agreed.

Bader said they’re going to try to do the event every year and that the mud pits will be a permanent installation at the park. He also said that they are working on a few more events involving the mud pits for the summer.

There was a sizable turnout for the first year with people filtering in and out throughout the day.

Participants enjoyed games such as tug-of-war, soccer, football, wiffle ball and volleyball. The games were played in the two large rectangular mud patches which were recently tilled. The games were split up into age groups.

Ultimately though, Bader said, the kids just wanted to play in the mud. 

There was a tanker truck from the Farmington Fire Department ready to hose the mud off of participants. Farmington firefighters Caleb Price and Jake Sikes stood ready with their water hoses to shower the globs of mud off of participants.

Bader was very thankful for everyone who helped put thisevent together.  He said he wanted to thank the Parks and Recreation Department’s Bud Norman, Kevin Amonette and Sheila Archer.

Bader also thanked the fire department for helping coordinate their help with the event.

Participants played several games thought the day including soccer, football, volleyball and more.

An intense game of tug of war takes place during the first annual Mud Bowl in Endler Park on Saturday

Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3628, or at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com.