Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Festival successful

It was coat and jacket weather this past Saturday for Gurdon's 21st Annual Forest Festival.

However cool, the sun was shining and no clouds were in sight. Thousands showed up for the annual event. Young and old were present to enjoy the day.

For those helping with the festival and events, the day started early. Rotary Club members were up before dawn, and ready at the Senior Adult Center to serve the public it's annual pancake breakfast. Many residents of Gurdon and guests showed up for the pancakes, sausage, bacon and juice.

By the time 10 a.m. had arrived, so had hundreds of festival goers and parade entries. The streets of Gurdon were lined with people anticipating a great parade. Children anticipated the candy being thrown. No one was disappointed as the many antique cars, four-wheelers, horses, firetrucks, buggies and pageant royalty filled the streets.

As the parade ended everyone flocked to the booths and the Main Street band stand.

Country and gospel music filled the air as the young and old sat in lawn chairs and on the sidewalks to listen.

At noon Scott Clark spoke to the crowd about the Forest Festival and thanked Freddie Horne for all he has done in the past to get the festival where it is today. The Snark of the Universe and other Hoo-Hoo International members were introduced and the Clark County Judge Floyd "Buddy" Manning spoke to the crowd about his plans for the county.

State Sen. Percy Malone was also on hand, reminding those in attendance the attacks on America by Usama bin Laden couldn't break the spirit of the nation, as was shown by events such as the Forest Festival. This brought a rousing round of applause from everyone there.

State Rep. Tommy Roebuck congratulated Gurdon on having an other successful festival, while Clark County Clerk Rhonda Williams greeted the crowd, reminding them next year is an election year and she plans to seek reelection.

The afternoon entertainment was outstanding. Jill Plyler of Gurdon awed the crowd with her singing as did Christina Daniels also of Gurdon.

This year's auction was a success with the Hoo-Hoo paying a large penny, $335, for a ham the organization donated to the Senior Adult Center.

Many children enjoyed riding the tilt-a-whirl, swings and climbing the rock.

The day was closed out, with entertainment by Harry Blanton and Ole' Friends. Blanton is a Gurdon native. The crowd danced as he and the band played country classics and some gospel. His daughter, Ashley, joined the band to perform some of her favorites.