It was an intimate crowd of more than 2,000 people who came out Saturday, despite the threatening clouds, to honor Jackie Stiles on a day that was all hers. More than 62 floats traveled the parade route from Second Street and Hamilton to Claflin High School, where Stiles set records as a basketball player. "This is so amazing, the support has been incredible," said Stiles, as she waited to start the parade in the rumble seat of Father James Roth's vintage Ford. 

"I just want to thank everyone here in Claflin and Barton County who have been so supportive. It's (the media rush and demands on her time) gotten worse since the Final Four," said Stiles, talking about her celebrity status. 

"There's a lot of anticipation about me going pro. I'm looking forward to playing pro ball in the WNBA. Since I don't have a choice of which team I will play for, any of them will do," she said. Claflin was not without a local hero before Stiles came along. But on this day, Walter Hickel, former Governor of Alaska, passed the baton to her as he took part in the parade. 

As he passed the reviewing stand, it was remarked that now he "was the second-most famous person in Claflin." Leading the parade before it got started was a bi-plane, hand built and flown by Jim Vance of Claflin. 

At times it looked like he would stop in mid-air as he flew over the small town. As most of the floats and entrants of the parade passed the viewing stand that held Stiles and her parents, Pam Stiles and Pat Stiles, plus her former roommate and teammate Carly Deer, they would throw candy or run up and offer Stiles her pick of the bucket. 

One group of children presented Stiles, her mother and Deer with a single red rose. Deer, the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year winner, was amazed by the flood of autograph seekers that asked her for her signature. "This is neat for Jackie," said Deer, who claimed she had been to Claflin six times over the past four years. 

The mayors of Claflin, Ellinwood, Hoisington and Great Bend, along with Congressman Jerry Moran and Senator Janice Lee participated in the festivities. The day was an opportunity for those who know Stiles best to come out and express their appreciation. 

It was a small hometown parade in front of an adoring hometown crowd celebrating a self-proclaimed small town girl who has made good. Long time resident of Claflin, Lori Farmer, summed up the sentiments of most of the crowd when she said, "I think this is soooo cool."