One of the most-asked questions about Saturday's parade finally has an answer: He didn't know.

The question? Why was a car with the name of Decatur Mayor Michael Carrigan on the side driving in the parade without the mayor?

"I'm a little embarrassed," a laughing Carrigan said Sunday afternoon. "I didn't know I was supposed to be in it. Nobody told me.

"The funny thing is, at the (Friday) opening ceremonies, they asked me to mention that the parade started at 10 o'clock. After we left, my wife said, 'Are you supposed to be in that?' I said nobody had said anything, and I thought maybe they were honoring former Mayor (Paul) Osborne."

So why did the car go on without its rider? Celebration officials said they thought Carrigan might have been unable to get to the lineup area in time and figured they'd drive the route in case he was in the crowd.

The most amazing story at Decatur Celebration this weekend may have been in the audience.

Robert Sampson of Jacksonville was seen dancing at a number of stages. He's seen on the Herald & Review's Web site dancing at one of the Bay City Rollers shows. (See the video at right.)

Sampson was doing back flips and pops and entertaining the crowd almost as much as the band.

The 27-year-old Sampson is just off a finalist placement in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February. He's a multi-instrumentalist who was a solo/duo finalist in the competition. He and his manager, Larry Cline of Beardstown, are in town "just because we love music," Cline said.

The exclamation point of the story?

"He's legally blind," Cline said.

Cline is trying to book dates in Central Illinois for Sampson.

Decatur Celebration might seem an improbable event at which to place a booth warning people about the dangers and need for awareness of railroad crossing and trespassing safety.

But William Meade of Decatur said the warnings are something people in the area need.

"There's an inordinate amount of collisions in this area," he said, producing a sheet detailing train collisions from this year and noting how many took place in Macon and Sangamon counties.

"All we hope to do is raise people's awareness," Meade said. "You hope you're touching someone."

Meade said the national public safety program, instituted in 1972, has resulted in a 70 percent drop in deaths since that time.

Jeff Scott of Champaign has found out that it doesn't hurt to ask for what you desire.

Scott, station manager and morning show co-host for WBGL Christian radio, received the opportunity to play drums for the Robbie Seay Band on stage Saturday night at the Christian Music Stage.

Speaking to Scott, there were special circumstances involved.

Before moving to Champaign, Scott worked for a Christian radio station in Houston, where he met lead singer and guitarist Robbie Seay and his brother Chris Seay, who is a pastor.

So when WBGL was presented with a list of bands to play the Celebration stage that included Seay's name, Scott said, "We definitely have to get the Robbie Seay band."

Scott, who currently plays the drums at his church, performed one song with the band, "Faith of Our Fathers."

"It's one thing to ask," he said. "It's another thing to (hear) yes."

Scott did not practice with the band before the show, he said, but that wasn't keeping him from putting on the show of his life.

"Timing is everything," he said. "I think you have to be bold and ask. I hope I've encouraged people to go after their dreams."

Robert Walker doesn't let the negative comments from passers-by get to him. He's proud of his paintings.

"A lot of people ask if I have bad nightmares," he said of the people who stop to look at his work along Merchant Street.

Walker said he's received comments from each end of the spectrum, from "disturbing to beautiful," regarding the surreal nature of his work.

"Some people get it," he said, "but some people don't."

Despite the negativity, Walker was thrilled for winning Best of Show for the 23rd Decatur Celebration, with a pink and yellow ribbon displayed near his artwork.

"That's awesome," he said. "It's always nice to have your work appreciated, especially with this being my first time here."

Walker said his work depicts his ideals on a variety of topics, such as endangered animals and nuclear power, in an abstract way.

"I want my work to be an emotional roller coaster for people," he said. "I think good art should speak to you."

To see Walker's paintings, visit www.rw2gallery.com.

The winners of the 95Q Colgate Country Showdown were announced Saturday evening on the Central Park Stage.

The Gaddis Girls of Springfield won first place. Latham's Eric Burgett was second and Chelsea Kraft of Decatur took third place.

The Gaddis Girls will move on to the state finals in September in Marion.

The winners were announced for Sunday night's toga party: Malcolm Thornburgh of Charleston won first place, Nick Amsalem of Forsyth was second and Zach Mears of Decatur was third.

The toga party was in honor of the 30th anniversary of "Animal House," which featured Otis Day and the Knights, who played the Decatur Celebration.

Allissa Eckart was the winner of the 50/50 raffle, winning $4,585.

Tim Cain can be reached at timcain@herald-review.com or 421-6908. Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.