Published: October 04, 2007 11:51 pm            

Wurtland grade-schoolers parade in their old-fashioned best

Music, funnel cakes beckon at Greenup festival

Greenup — The parade and the funnel cakes are two of Donna Hewlett’s favorite things about Greenup Old Fashion Days.

The city’s mayor said she could watch the parade — which begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday — in her house shoes because she lives downtown. But since she’s in the parade, she won’t be getting that comfortable.

“I’ve only been downtown for the opening ceremony this morning,” she said. “So I haven’t had a funnel cake yet.”

But that will be her next endeavor when she heads down the road from the city building to where food and craft vendors line Main Street.

Thursday morning’s opening ceremony featured two presentations, Hewlett said. Arnold “Bud” Quillen was honored with a certificate for his years of service to the community and the late Charles Veach, a former Greenup mayor, was honored with the unveiling of a memorial.

“The Old Fashion Days committee purchased a huge rock that says ‘Veach’ on the front,” Hewlett said. “The rock is a memorial for his dedication to the city. It will be placed in the city park, which he loved. I’d say members of his family were the biggest part of the crowd on (Thursday) morning.”

Hewlett said the importance of Old Fashion Days is the way it maintains history.

“Not just for the city,” she said. “It’s the whole community of the Tri-State that comes each year to enjoy this event.”

For love of fellow man and for community — those are the reasons the Old Fashion Days committee puts so much work into making the event happen, Hewlett.

“These are nonpaid positions,” she said. “Each year turns out better than the last, and I just want the committee to know how much I appreciate all their efforts and time.”

This is the 42nd year for the fall festival. This year it was named one of the top 10 fall festivals in the state by the Kentucky Tourism Council. To win such a title, the event was nominated by a KTC member and voted on by the council.

Food, craft and business booths will open at 9 a.m. today. Events continue throughout the day, ending with musical performances by Nashville recording artist Larry Pancake at 7 p.m. and the CMA Award-winning country music group Confederate Railroad at 8 p.m.

SARAH LYNCH can be reached at (606) 326-2650 or slynch@dailyindependent.com.

        

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