Bun Run participants get ready to take off from the starting line. (Photo/Tribune Staff)

By Fawn Porter/Staff Writer

Dreary weather, heavy clouds and a light mist falling on El Reno didn’t stop Burger Day loyalists from filling downtown.

Revelers of the 18th annual festivities donned hooded sweatshirts and light jackets as they sunk their teeth into “onion-fried delicacies,” a car show, live entertainment and, of course, the big burger.

As El Reno firefighters, who have been charged with guarding the burger pit for at least a decade, continued to fill it with wood, Chief Kent Lagaly said the chance of rain wasn’t slowing them down one bit.

“Maybe the crowd,” he said, “But not us.”

The crowd at Petree Plaza kept growing, each person anxious to see, and taste, the big burger – 8 1/2 feet in diameter and about 750 pounds, topped with onions and pickles.

It starts with 250 pounds of raw meat and ends up being one of El Reno’s main draws — previously bringing in people from as far away as California.

A few blocks away, a child’s good aim sent Quade Colbert, a senior at El Reno High School, into the dunk tank — the boy’s eighth hit of the day.

The dunk tank, which is set up each year by Solid Rock Christian Center is a fund-raising effort aimed at helping its youth attend church camps, Pastor Paul Roach said.

Kim Colbert, who also participated in the dunking activities, shivered in her sweatshirt.

“I can’t feel the bottom of my feet right now,” she said.

Down on the corner of Wade Street and Rock Island Avenue, children gleefully slid down the inflatable obstacle course, while others chose to bounce in the Jurassic Park- themed moonwalk or take on a gigantic inflatable shark.

Others opted for face painting, a Burger Day version of Plinko, rock climbing walls, pony rides, kiddy rides, roasted almonds, cotton candy or watching the entertainment. Some chose to donate blood at the American Red Cross blood donation trailer.

Cheers rose from the crowd as Blayne Kerley sang her rendition of “I Can Only Imagine” and peels of laughter could be heard as Sponji the Clown impressed children with his magical feats.

Also appearing on the entertainment stages were Roblyer Show Choir, Lincoln Honor Choir, Darlington Dance, Dance Etiquette Dancers, Joseph Watkins, Aislinn Henry, Hillbilly Willy, Rose Witcher Honor Choir and Burger Day Idol.

Also, El Reno High School Jazz Band, Gene Stroman, Alonzo Roberson, Christina Bender, Genie Whitrock, Lisha Stasser, Leroy Eastland, Frank Garcia, Joe Slawson, Frank and Joe, and Jim Edwards.