Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon Celebrates; City Turns 120, Festival 20

Thousands flocked to Gurdon for the 20th Annual Forest Festival Saturday, and were greeted with near perfect conditions.

The weather was ideal, though a bit warmer than many prepared for, as they walked the streets looking at the different arts and crafts for sale, participated in the various games and sampled the goodies provided by the food vendors up and down Main and Second streets.

Along with being the 20th Forest Festival, it was the 120th anniversary of Gurdon, complete with a birthday party held at noon. Those at the "party" were treated to cake and ice cream, and sang "Happy Birthday" to the city.

The day got off to an early start with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast. The pancakes, sausage, bacon, orange juice and coffee menu fueled people up for the rest of the day.

This was followed by the first Eric Griffin 5K run, and opening of the booths and vendors.

The parade stretched through the streets of Gurdon at 10, with the curbs lined two and three deep with spectators enjoying the spectacle.

Noon arrived with the annual welcome by Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith, who asked all to have a good time meeting with family and friends.

Then it was time for the politicians to take the podium.

State Rep., soon to be state senator, Percy Malone opened up by wishing the town a happy birthday, and thanking the people for allowing him to be their representative the last six years.

Malone said he has helped get funds to renovate City Hall, upgrade the fire departments in the area and the 4-H building, along with money for the county fair association.

"We need to make it possible," he said, "for Gurdon to prosper another 120 years."

Ron Addington, one of the candidates for Malone's vacant seat in the house, kept his message simple and asked people to vote for him.

Tommy Roebuck, also a candidate for the seat, thanked everyone for electing him in the May primary and pledged to do everything he could to earn the respect and keep the confidence of the people, if elected in the Nov. 7 General Election.

Roebuck said the next session will be one of the toughest ever because the state won't have the funds available it's had in the past, even though the various departments have asked for more than is in the budget.

Congressman Jay Dickey was on hand seeking votes.

He told those gathered of being a ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee and the power it has.

Dickey said the district has sent people to Washington, D.C. to take care of them, but had them forget about the folks back home instead.

If this keeps happening, he said, south Arkansas will wind up with nothing.

He said he got $202 million this year for the state, along with $94 million for the I-49 project. "Money attracts money in highway construction."

Dickey told the audience he was against gun control, supported by the National Rifle Association and pro life, though his opponent, Mike Ross, has voted for partial birth abortions.

He said he doesn't take Political Action Committee money, while Ross has accepted $550,000 in PAC funds.

Ross questioned the spending of more than $4 million in negative ads against him.

He said he's been a lifelong member of the NRA, and the organization has a history of supporting incumbents. The NRA has, in the past, supported Ross.

Ross talked of being the project of public schools and a small businessman.

He told the audience he favors a patient bill of rights, supports a voluntary prescription drug plan and wants to save the Social Security program, along with raising minimum wage.

Once the speeches ended, it was time for entertainers to take center stage and sing to those lining the south side of Main Street.

Several thousand dollars was raised by the annual auction, with a Petit Jean ham being sold for $300, then donated to the Senior Adult Center.

A 50-pound bag of peanuts was sold three times, bringing about $300 as well.When the auction ended, youngsters lined up for the Halloween costume contest, showing a considerable amount of creativity in their choices.

Costumes included the tin man from the "Wizard of Oz", along with Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion.

The Green Power Ranger was on hand to protect the populace, and a number of cowboys and cowgirls were dressed to ride the range.

The evening closed with the annual street dance, which lasted until about 11 p.m.