Adam's Apple Fest a family draw
By KALEY CONNER
LUCAS -- The crowd went wild as 11-year-old John Felio hit the ball across the field, scoring his fourth and final home run of the game.
But this wasn't your average little league baseball game. His baseball bat was actually a video game controller. And the roaring crowd? Virtual.
Felio, along with his two brothers, stepped up to the plate in a Wii video game tournament Saturday at Lucas Area Community Theater as part of annual Adam's Apple Festival activities.
"I don't know how many points I had," Felio said. "But I know I did good."
The Wii tournament was one of many activities planned for the day. Outside the theater, about 30 craft vendors set up shop to display their goods. There was live music, a fun run, and a barbecue meal, with the afternoon concluding with a stock truck and ATV mudrun and a Lego building activity.
"It's good for the community as a whole, because it brings money into town, but there's also a lot of people visiting relatives," said Connie Dougherty, director of the Lucas Area Chamber of Commerce. "It gives them a chance to get together and visit and see people they haven't seen since last year."
The event is sponsored by the chamber, the city of Lucas, and Lucas PRIDE.
Felio, a Medicine Lodge resident, was in Lucas to visit his grandparents for the festival. He and his two brothers, Philip, 12, and Bryce, 17, often challenge each other to a friendly competition at home.
"John's probably the best of all three of us in baseball," Philip Felio admitted. "Real baseball."
About 30 participants signed up for the challenge, completing three training exercises in four virtual sports: baseball, bowling, boxing and tennis.
Athletes were divided into three age groups, and the two contestants with the highest score in each age group were treated to a prize.
Janea and Justin Gray -- both sporting Kansas State University attire in honor of game day -- were the only two adults to enter the competition, but it was all in fun for the Hutchinson couple.
The couple, who brought their 1-year-old son, Jerrick, visit family every year during the event, and first competed in the video game challenge last year, Janea Gray said.
"I think I can win. He won it all last year," she said with a laugh. "We were just looking for something to do for fun."