Noah Russell, a tire‑shop worker at Breighner’s Tire Center, turned a pile of used tyres into an eight‑foot fire‑breathing dragon that captured the 2024 Good Ole Days Festival parade’s first‑place prize.
Owner Randy Breighner first spotted Russell’s knack for repurposing rubber when he asked him to design a float for the town’s annual parade.
Russell sliced turf tyres into scaled panels, stitched them with metal from discarded equipment for wings, and fitted whitewall tyres into teeth and horns, while a butane‑powered coil produced the dragon’s signature flame.
The 2024 parade, held on Saturday, saw the dragon roar to life, earning the float the top award and attracting crowds that livestreamed the spectacle on social media.
Local officials have announced that the success will be replicated next year, with Russell slated to mentor a youth art program that will use recycled materials for public displays.