Opening ceremonies feature salute, famous face

Bushwhacker Days official opening ceremonies were set off with a bang Thursday evening, as the Ozark Muzzleloaders fired a shotgun salute, at right. The annual festival also marks the official beginning of sesquicentennial activities celebrating Vernon County's 150-year history.

Brent Mendenhall told the crowd Thursday night that he was probably one of the few people there that remembered the 1955 Vernon County Centennial. Mendenhall said that he was five years old during that celebration.