shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com August 16, 2016 • Page 13 Joleen and Randy Smith Set To Serve As Captain And Belle changed much over the years, what has changed is the amount of things they have to say to promote Riverboat Days, as the event has grown with each year, Joleen said. “It’s the community that makes this better. Captain and Belle are mostly used to tell people about the events going on and making appearances,” she said. “But the people in Yankton are the ones who do the real work: setting up booths, organizing events and making sure that everyone who participates in the festival has a great time.” With their years of experience, the Smiths offered some advice for people who wish to someday serve as Captain and Belle for Riverboat Days. “Jump on it! I think it is going to be nothing but fun. And it allows you a chance to express just how much you love your community,” Randy said. “We just hope we can live up to the same standards of the previous Captains and Belles.” Whether people decided to volunteer or just participate in Riverboat days, the Smiths recommend that everyone should take part in the festival, which this year will be held Aug. 19-21. “Even if you don’t go to Riverboat Days, just being in the community and waving at your neighbors going down the street, that is what Yankton is all about,” Randy said. “It is the Midwest atmosphere.” By John Hodson john.hodson@yankton.net Joleen and Randy Smith have worked behind the scenes at Yankton’s Riverboat Days (RBD) for many years, but this year, they’re stepping into the spotlight as the 2016 Captain and Belle “We are the ambassadors for any function in and around Yankton, ride in parades and invite the public to be a part of our festival,” Joleen said. “We open the door to Yankton and show people what this town is truly like,” Randy added. Since the early days of RBD, one couple has been chosen as Captain and Belle to serve as ambassadors for the event, traveling to area communities throughout the summer to promote the festival. The Smiths have been a part of Riverboat Days for many years, they said. When Randy worked for NorthWestern Energy, he was often called in to help set up wires for several RBD booths. “After the job was done, I noticed that people needed help setting up their tent so I volunteered, he said. “Then Joleen got on the board of directors for Riverboat Days and we were able to do a lot more.” Joleen remained on the board throughout the 1990s, and that included and having a hand in the selection of several Captains and Belles, she said. “When I was on the Riverboat Days Board, we based the decision on who has done the most for the festival,” Joleen said. “We also based the decision on who is willing to do more and who can travel around to help promote Riverboat Days.” One such couple was Joleen’s brother, Gary Becker, and his wife Renee, who were honored in 1993, Joleen added. “Gary was a founding member of Riverboat Days, he was instrumental in getting the festival going,” she said. “Not only that, but ‘93 was a big year … because that was the 10-year anniversary of Riverboat Days.” After Joleen left the board, she and Randy stayed involved with the festival, offering their help wherever they could. Most recently, it has been as the engineer and conductor of the children’s train. “The things we volunteered for might not be the most prestigious jobs, but we just go out there and do what needs to be done,” Joleen said. The news that they were selected the 2016 Captain and Belle came as a surprise to the Smiths. However, they had their suspicions when they received a phone call asking if they would be home on the day they wound up being notified, Joleen said. “You’ve got be careful who you open the door for,” Randy joked. As Captain and Belle, the two have already been in one parade and have other appearances planned, including the Czech Days Parade in Tabor next month. While the role the Smiths now play hasn’t COUPON 6 OFF Family Meal $ 8 Pc. Chicken, 2 Lg. Sides, 4 Biscuits 2504 Fox Run Parkway, Yankton, SD • 665-4433 NO OTHER DISCOUNTS APPLY *Yankton Location Only. . “Don’t Gamble”...Insure With New Fall Arrivals! Start Your Back-To-School Shopping Now! M.T. & R.C. 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