Farmer Consumer Awareness Day returns to Quincy on Saturday

QUINCY — The agricultural industry – and agricultural bounty – of Quincy and its surrounding area will be celebrated at the annual Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day on Saturday. Leia Watkins, FCAD president, said recognizing agriculture and the contributions of farmers is as important as ever.  

“Especially in this day and age, so many people don’t understand the importance of agriculture,” Watkins said.  

It’s important not only to recognize farmers for their contribution to the economy, but for their hard work and dedication, she said.  

While all the official events are Saturday, there’s an unofficial kickoff from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday; the B Street Block Party returns for the fourth year. B Street Southeast will be closed between Central Avenue South and First Street Southwest for the evening, which features food trucks, beer and wine vendors, games and live music.   

Events start with the annual FCAD parade, which rolls, walks and rides down Central Avenue South at 10 a.m. Parade entrants check in at the intersection of Central Avenue South and B Street Southeast, and the parade route snakes through downtown to Division Street East. 

The parade is always led by the Farm Family of the Year, but no family was chosen for 2025, Watkins said. Many farmers have turned down the offer because they think someone else is more deserving, she said.  

There is an Honorary Farmer of the Year, FCAD volunteer John Moody, who resigned from the committee after moving out of state. But he pitched in when it came time to organize the tour for 2025.  

“Even though he’s retired and moved to Arizona, he’s still helping,” Watkins said.  

The parade ends at Quincy Middle School, where most of the afternoon’s activities are scheduled. 

Traditionally, information booths and vendors set up in the QMS gym and generally spill out onto the playfields behind the school. The exception is the Quincy Future Farmers of America Alumni produce sale, which – traditionally – sets up in the QMS parking lot. Proceeds go to Quincy FFA chapter activities. 

Information booths set up alongside product vendors, and will include everything from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office to the city of Quincy’s water conservation program. Lest it be thought water conservation is boring, at least one person at the booth will be wearing a poop costume, according to city officials. 

Cool cars and other cool vehicles will start parking on the QMS playfield at 9 a.m. for the annual Quincy Chamber of Commerce car show. Contests are part of the car show in addition to awards, including a doughnut-eating contest for 2025. A bass audio contest is also on the schedule for car owners who really want to rattle some windows. 

The annual quilt show will be in the QMS gym, with attendees getting a chance to vote for their favorites. Quilters are eligible for awards in 10 categories, with a separate category for youth. 

Typically, FCAD includes some bus tours of the surrounding area; one is scheduled for 2025, a look at the geology of the Quincy area. It leaves from the QMS parking lot.  

    Dancers from the Sol y Luna troupe spin down the parade route in the 2024 FCAD parade. The parade and other FCAD events will return Saturday.
  

    A car show will be among the events at Farmer Consumer Awareness Day Saturday in Quincy. Spectators check out the entries at the 2024 show.
  

    Shoppers check out the produce at the sale sponsored by the Quincy FFA Alumni chapter at FCAD 2024. The town celebration returns Saturday.