Published: July 04, 2008 09:16 am      

Food part of Fourth fun

ASHLAND — For some it was the funnel cake, for others cotton candy and barbecue.

The aroma and flavor of Summer Motion 2008 set a carnival-like atmosphere as thousands walked to Ashland’s riverfront for Thursday evening’s performances by Sarah Johns and Marty Stuart.

“It’s all over you,” a group of young girls advised a friend who had just taken a big bite of a funnel cake, creating a concentrated cloud of confectioners’ sugar.

Jeannie Pinkerman and Linda McCorkle, accompanied by Emily Pinkerman, 8, balanced plates loaded with Spiral Spuds as they worked through the early evening crowd.

“We’ve already had the funnel cakes, so that was our first choice,” Pinkerman said with a giggle.

Miss Summer Motion 2008 Rikki Butler didn’t hesitate when asked her favorite festival foods.

“Funnel cake. I’m here to get that right now — and lemonade,” she said.

Robin Patrick of Olive Hill and Shannon Hennecke of Boyd County helped their trio of youngsters — Kady Lewis, 6, Sarah Hennecke, 9, and 1-year-old Taylor Patrick — work through fruit-flavored Snowie treats as Johns took the stage.

State Sen. Walter “Doc” Blevins gave his endorsement to the Summer Motion pizza and echoed the sentiments of many others who said they were disappointed to find Andy’s Barbecue was no longer represented at the event.

“Andy’s was always the first place I would go when I got here,” Blevins said.

Volunteer Michelle Cox said she had the nearly legendary Bahama Mama for dinner Wednesday, while husband Eugene enjoyed the pizza.

D.J. Blair of Ashland and Scott Barns of Westwood, both 26, found a spot near the floodwall to relax with a couple of slices of pizza, which they said earned high marks.

“The corn dogs are also good. I had one of those yesterday,” Barns said.

“I’m a sucker for the funnel cakes and lemon shakeups,” Blair added.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.