By Kenny Varner

Would the last person leaving Mitchell Field please turn out the lights (for the last time)!

The end has finally come for the field that holds so many memories to so many residents throughout its 90-plus years of local sporting events.

On the horizon though, the Huskies will usher in the new sports complex and football venue, the Kish Bank Field at Donald Chapman III stadium.

The field will be “the state of the art” complex with artificial turf and many amenities.

Boy of that field could talk, the things it would tell us.

Once labeled Lewistown Memorial Field, the complex has gone through many generations. It was later renamed Mitchell Field after band director Palmer Mitchell.

The field was a staple in the community through numerous generations and eras.

In music terms, the field went through a Blue Grass era, Big Band Era, Early Rock-N-Roll, Woodstock era, Metal and Disco, as well as 80’s, Hip-Hop, Rap, Grunge and the Millennial era.

The athletes graced the field since its onset would be one’s legends are made of.

Mitchell Field has been a field where legendary coaches, home and away walked up and down the sidelines.

None more famous in this era than Legendary Lewistown Coach Alex Ufema. Ufema was a longtime coach that produced undefeated teams in his time at Mitchell Field.

The complex was also the host to numerous rivalry games. None bigger was the Lewistown versus Chief Logan and later Indians Valley Iron Kettle Match ups. Some of the most intense games were between the two when only bragging rights were on the line.

Not only was the Lewistown/Indian Valley football rivalry were tough some of the girls flag football games were just as intense. Instead of the Iron Kettle, the girls battled for the Old Iron Skillet.

The field was also used for the Lewistown track and field team. The runners ran on then  “the state of the art” gravel tracks.

Speaking of rivalry games, soccer and field hockey later took their turn competing against each other.

Each time it never mattered about records, most would have been classified as instant classics in today’s world.

One thing that has not changed was the atmosphere of the grand ole stadium.

As a fan and a writer, the first thing you know that you’re at Mitchell was the smell of French fries and hot dogs. In my childhood, some of the best food I ever ate was there. It was partially because of the taste and partially because of my mom and dad paying for it.

In the upper side of the field were always young, future football players playing toss up and tackle to show their skills off.

Kids were free to walk around the track area and hang out with friends from school. It was a great kick off for the weekend.

The highlight through the many, many years were the bands that have graced the grid iron as they marched up and down the field supporting their teams and playing awesome performances. Back then, the band had upwards to 100 musicians and Flag twirlers filling the field.

Ironically, some nights when walking to the game, you could hear the band echoing through the town before the game.

Let’s not forget the cheerleaders who worked hard to perform and cheer their team to a victory. They were always there to support their team.

Despite the field closing its historical gates forever, the memories from the many generations of Mifflin County residents will never be taken away.

But it’s time for a new generation of players and fans to make their own memories in their own stadium.

But boy I’ll tell you that smell of the French fries will never be same.

Goodbye my friend!

And in the immortal words of the great comic Bob Hope….Thanks for the memories.