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Annual PiperFest to be Sept. 28

Editor’s note: Because of rain in the forecast, the schedule of PiperFest has changed. Some events now will be held on Sept. 29, while others will continue Sept. 28. To see the new schedule, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/piperfest-schedule-changes-because-of-weather/.

by Mary Rupert

Preparations are underway for the annual PiperFest, a community festival from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Piper High School, 4400 N. 107th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

The annual event will raise funds for the Piper Public School District 203, according to Sean Ziolo, who is volunteering with the festival’s car show.

Highlights of the event will include a pancake breakfast, run-walk, auction, car show, carnival, alumni softball game, bingo, concessions and food trucks.

The day begins with a Boy Scouts pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Piper High School Commons, 4400 N. 107th St.

A 5K run-walk follows from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. starting at Piper Elementary School East. The event is coordinated by Anytime Fitness. The race begins at 8 a.m., with late registration accepted through 7:30 a.m. Online registration ends Sept. 23, and details are at https://www.piperfest.com/5k.

A silent auction opens at 7 a.m. and runs through 8 p.m. The event will be in the Piper High School Commons. All funds raised will go back to the Piper Public Schools. This year, persons also may participate in the auction through “ClickBid,” a mobile app. For more information, see https://www.piperfest.com/auction.

The PiperFest Car and Truck Show will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Piper High School south parking lot. Registration is from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., then the car show will begin with the national anthem at 11:30 a.m. There are plans to have two tow trucks supporting an American flag in the air at the car show; entrants should be able to drive under the flag.

The entry fee for cars and trucks will be $10, Ziolo said. All models and makes of vehicles are eligible to enter the judged show, he said.

He said entries were down a little last year because of the weather, and he hopes the show draws 200 to 300 cars this year.

The show will hand out over 70 awards, along with cash prizes. The “best of show” award is $200; second runner-up is $100 and third runner-up is $50. The principal’s choice award winner will receive a trophy and the picture of the vehicle will go on next year’s T-shirt, fliers and banners.

A special class for anyone 25 and younger will include 15 “Rising Star” awards to recognize youth who enter the car show.

Besides the top awards, there will be giveaways to car show entrants including a TV set, neon signs, gift cards to restaurants and tools, with donations from a lot of sponsors, he said.

The rain date will be Sunday, Sept. 29.

For more information on the car show, visit https://www.piperfest.com/carandtruckshow.

PiperFest also includes an alumni softball game from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 28 at Piper High School baseball field.

In addition, there will be soccer and track skills stations from 10 a.m. to noon at the district stadium.

The carnival, community stage and vendors will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28 at Piper High School. A $20 carnival wristband will be available. Music performances also are part of the festival.

Bingo will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Piper High School Commons, with concessions available.

Ziolo said eight food trucks will be at the festival.

There is no admission charge to attend the festival.

“We look forward to having everyone out and we appreciate their support,” Ziolo said. “We look forward to seeing old friends and making new, and making the car show one of the best in KC.”

For more information, visit www.piperfest.com or https://www.facebook.com/pipercarshow/.

White’s 5 TDs pace Pirates

by Brian Turrel

Piper running back La’James White scored five touchdowns in a runaway 57-6 home victory over the Baldwin Bulldogs on Friday evening.

White picked up two rushing touchdowns, including a 76-yarder. He also collected three scores through the air from quarterback Karson Schaunaman. White primarily used his speed to outrace Baldwin’s defense around the ends.

Schaunaman connected with receivers Camaro Scott and Jack Robinson for two more touchdowns. Running back Brandon Snell rounded out the scoring with a 43-yard touchdown run.

Piper’s defense was just as dominant as the offense, forcing fumbles on consecutive possessions in the first half and quickly turning the game into a rout.

Junior linebacker Branden Martin led the defense with 11 tackles and a fumble recovery. Freshman defensive back Mehiki Frazier had an interception in the first half.

The Pirates have started the season with two dominating wins. They’ll face off with Atchison next Friday in Piper’s homecoming game. A major challenge will come in three weeks when they play the Tonganoxie Chieftains (also 2-0) on the road.

Piper junior Camaro Scott (10) had three receptions in the game, including a touchdown catch. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

La’James White brought down a throw from sophomore quarterback Karson Schaunaman for a touchdown. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Freshman defensive back Mehiki Frazier pulled an interception from the arms of a Baldwin receiver. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Senior defensive lineman Jamarion Frazier celebrated as he came to the sideline after the defense forced another Baldwin turnover. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Junior linebacker Branden Martin (11) closed in on the Baldwin ball carrier. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Junior linebacker Darius McNeal brought Baldwin’s quarterback down for a loss. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

The Piper cheerleaders performed stunts before the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

White ran away from the Baldwin defense for another touchdown. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Junior wide receiver Camaro Scott (10) and junior offensive lineman Tony Cobbs (55) celebrated after Scott’s touchdown reception. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

The Piper dance team performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

“Troy’s our hero” chants from the student section cheered on athletic trainer Troy Koerner, right, as he worked with the athletes. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Junior running back Brandon Snell raced around the right side on his way to the end zone. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Senior receiver Jack Robinson fought his way past a Baldwin tackler for a touchdown reception. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Residents warned about scam in Piper area

The Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam operating in the Piper area.

According to Capt. David Thaxton, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Department, a scammer called a few Piper residents on Aug. 25 and gave a false name, impersonating an officer in the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department.

The scammer asked for gift cards of $500, after telling people that there was a warrant for their arrest for not appearing for jury duty.

“If you have a warrant, we’re not going to call you and we’re sure not going to ask for gift cards as payment,” Capt. Thaxton said.

The scammer gave a name with a rank of “lieutenant,” and the sheriff’s office doesn’t even have that rank, he added.

There are no reports of anyone in Piper actually paying the scammers anything, he said.

He said the Sheriff’s Department hears of scams like this at least a couple times a year. Sometimes it happens close to the holidays, he added.

The Sheriff’s Office doesn’t solicit for any money or gift cards through the telephone, he said. Occasionally they may do a news report about conducting a charitable event, but they don’t call individuals over the phone, he said.

Another scam was mentioned on Aug. 27 by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s office. Scammers were posing as religious leaders in the community, asking for charitable contributions in the form of a gift card, according to a release on the attorney general’s website.

The AG’s office warned residents to be careful of emails that ask for donations of gift cards, and that come from an email address that looks different from the one that would usually be associated with that charity. Sometimes scammers make spelling or grammatical mistakes in the email.

Before making a donation, follow up by contacting the charity, looking up the phone number and not using contact information from the possible scammer, to find out if it was a legitimate request, according to the AG’s office. Residents also might want to talk to the charity’s representatives in person.