Joe Burns stands with his Gyroscope World Champion trophy. Supplied

Joe Burns was crowned the Gyroscope Champion of the World Thursday evening, Aug. 17, before a crowd of spectators at the Meeting Place in Hagerstown. His spin of 50.70 seconds was more than 8 seconds longer than any other.

The Hagerstown Optimist Club and TEDCO Toys co-sponsor the tournament, held annually during Jubilee Days since 1988. The free event is open to anyone. In addition to a free gyroscope for each contestant, TEDCO provided many other educational toys that were given away. Medals were awarded to all winners.

Winners and their times are listed in order of finish.

  • 7 years old and younger: Alexander Lester, 35.36; Harper Alexander, 5.40.
  • 8-12 years old: Jaden Stegleman 32.82; Evan Johnson, 30.92; Bentley Stegleman, 30.36.
  • 13-20 years old: Zack Logston, 26.01.
  • 21 and older: Joe Burns, 50.70; Nate Burns, 42.44; Avery Johnson, 35.59.

The event was one of many during the 2023 Jubilee Days. Below are additional images of the annual celebration, held in Hagerstown:

The Class of 1963 unfurled its banner for the first time since its 50th-year reunion 10 years ago and rode in the Jubilee Parade. Photo by Bob Hansen
Horses and riders from the Wayne County Color Guard, a 4-H club, and their leader, Emma Ullery, walking, brought up the rear of Saturday’s Jubilee Parade. Photo by Bob Hansen
Members of the Hagerstown Jr.-Sr. High School cheer squad performed in front of the reviewing stand at Saturday’s Jubilee Parade. Photo by Bob Hansen
Food trucks and flea market vendors stayed along South Plum Street during the weekend’s Jubilee Days in Hagerstown. The festival has been a town tradition since the early 1950s. Photo by Bob Hansen
Dave Willis of Middletown brought his restored 1944 McCormick-Deering orchard tractor to the parade. The cowling over the wheels was meant to keep branches from orchard trees from becoming entangled or damaged as the tractor drove. Photo by Bob Hansen
Visitors from Hagerstown, Maryland, came to celebrate its 10th anniversary as Hagerstown, Indiana’s sister city. The Maryland mayor, Takesha Martinez, left, and Mike Kiefer, that city’s unofficial ambassador to the Indiana city, presented a $500 scholarship to a Hagerstown Jr.-Sr. High School graduate. Photo by Bob Hansen

Several children got to ride in a barrel train in Saturday’s Jubilee Days parade. Long-time parade announcer George “Tad” Justice Jr. made the train at the request of his sister, Robin Nugent, the Nettle Creek Lions Club president. The town presented a plaque to her in recognition of the work she and her husband, Ed Nugent, have put in to organizing the festival for the past decade. Photo by Bob Hansen
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A version of this article appeared in the August 23 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.