GOOD HOPE – Under a warm sunny afternoon on June 6, 2025 the Village of Good Hope hosted the 51st annual Sodbuster Days festival beginning with the playing of the national anthem and the raising of the flag by Jim and Ethan Percy of Macomb American Legion Post 6.
The American Dream was the theme for the this year’s Sodbuster event which captures the series of moments and opportunities to make memories through building community with the auction, music trivia contest, children’s activities and contests, and the parade hosted by Grand Marshals Mary and Russell Howe, Jr. Grand Marshals Gracie Hamilton and Jame Alright and this year’s Centurion, Harold Anderson.
There was also a memorial reading of names of Good Hope residents who have passed away over the years; Harry and Lois Geltmacher, Ron Magnuson, Max Loy and Joan, Gene Houce, George Parsano, Lewis and Dixie Sell, Bill and Bertha Castlebury, Lee and Wilma Wrenn, Harold Moore, Rene Mooke, Ed Arnold, Lorne and Mary Baker, Farrell and Bessie Askew, Jack Bigsby, Becca Keithley, John and Dorothy Ruebush, Ray and Betty Lusk, Jay and Doris Rusk, Jerry Mescher Doris Long, Jeanie Plate, Jim Torrance, Donnie Wisslead, Mary McFarland and Dave Baker.
The winners of the 2025 Good Hope Sodbusters Days Parade: Carl Dalbello who drove the memorial truck winning the Judges’ Choice trophy, and the trophy for the Most Creative was won by Brian Keenest driving the festively decorated lime-green U.S. Post Office jeep.
The Midwest legendary rock band Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters performed from atop the grand stage to a lively evening crowd for the Fireman’s Fundraiser hosted by the Good Hope/Sciota Fire Department.
