HIP, HIP, HOORAY FOR HARRIMAN!

Harriman's 22nd Annual Labor Day Celebration was held this past Monday at Riverfront Park. The celebration is normally held on the blocked-off Roane Street downtown, but the promoters decided to add cooler river breezes and shade trees this year. Those additions did help some, but the day was still very humid, although the temperatures were in the mid-80s.

As Judy and I entered the park, she immediately began meeting people she knew and it seemed like forever before we got to the heart of the celebration, the music, the antique cars, and the wonderful food the many concessionaries had prepared. Judy always seems to see someone she is kin to, used to work with, or someone with which she went to school! Me, no one remembers Mushy! Right!

There were vendors everywhere, selling baskets, jewelry, t-shirts, fried apple pies, brownies, funnel cakes, fried Twinkies or Oreo’s, Sno Kones, hot dogs, fried bologna sandwiches, popcorn, and most anything you can imagine.

The crowds seemed gathered mostly around the hot dog stand and the funnel cake maker, but the wait was well worth the trouble. They were delicious and very satisfying. It was like an old county fair, without the Ferris wheel and hawkers.

Further into the park was the large pavilion where people were square dancing and clapping to the music. Then there it was; the large open field at the north end of the park where all the wonderful old cars were parked! Hordes of people were milling around among the vehicles with fantasies and memories of yesteryear dancing in their heads. I’ve been to the “Cruisin’ in Harriman” shows on Roane Street, but there were only two cars in this showing that I recognized. There were nearly a hundred new cars for me to enjoy!

Judy and I sat by the Emory River and ate our bologna and hot dog lunches, and later we shared a funnel cake. It was a great time with music coming from the pavilion and the large gazebo venues, and many people passing by helping us hone our “people watching” skills.

We left before the Babahatchie Community Band got set up and played, but the couple of hours we spent there was more than enough for two vintage folks! So, we walked back to the soccer field to the car, discussing everything we had seen in the park. It was a great day for us and Harriman.

It’s these local events that need to be supported. If we are ever to bring back the “old days” in the downtown’s of our lives, we must show that we want it to happen. You might wonder what you could do to help revitalize our little town centers, well, it don’t take much, just participation in city and county events. The promoters are trying to draw you in, and get you excited about “small town USA” once again. Please…come on down next time!

Please go to my Flickr “Hooray of Harriman” set and look at all the wonderful people and cars at the event!

LABOR DAY IN TENNESSEE

People in our area usually hit the lake, take in Boomsday in Knoxville, or just sit around near an outdoor grill with the family. We chose the later, as we usually do, and thoroughly enjoyed each other.

The Knights stayed mostly on the screened porch, allowing the thermopane windows to muffle the Dragon’s cackling! We even warned Jason (Neena’s son) and his friend, who stopped by later, not to stay in there long or they would become sterile!

For some time now, the Dragons have had this “Dolly Parton” problem. Every time they eat, they invariably drop a bite or two, and their “Dolly’s” catch it! So, Terri was perusing the Net the other night and saw some “adult bibs.” When she saw you could also get a custom designs, she order everyone a bib with a big dragon emblazoned on each one. Next time we go to Red Lobster, we’ll be set!

We look like a Labor Day Celebration of Wal-Mart Greeters!

The food; charcoal grilled burgers, potato-salad, chips, and two desserts were wonderful.

Here is a close-up of mine with a couple of big bites missing! The shot of the group at the table doesn’t quite capture the happiness each was enjoying as they ate, and honest to God, Steve hadn’t had a drop to drink!

Later as we rested on the porch, to enjoy one more FHB provided cigar, and our last beer of the evening, Ron reenacted the dreaded “middle seat” experience I had on our trip back from Alaska! Of course, he is much happier sitting there between these two ladies than I was on that flight home.

As Judy and I left Neena and Ron’s, we saw two deer, one spike buck and a young doe under their apple tree. Deer are plentiful in these parts and the deer quotas have been increased. However, I’m not going again this year…too hot to think about it right now!

PARTYING WITH KETCHUP BOY AND FAMILY

Sunday was great…decent weather for setting outside most of the day enjoying family. “Ketchup Boy” (a.k.a. Steve the Knight) was there and Ron gave him a gift to help remind him of his love for the red stuff. However, he would not wear the shirt; so, I put his head on a shot of the shirt! The things we won’t do to tease each other!

We believe in segregation – Dragons on one side and the Knights on another. Even at that, the Dragon noise drowns out our conversations! But, we lov’em!

I caught another “I’m about to stroke out" look on Judy’s face. Flash anticipation will kill a good photo every time! I decided a long candid shot might be best of the girls.

The cigars were from Gary this time…someone had given him a bunch of CAO samples and they were very good. I’m considering a box of them next time, if they are affordable - just a touch stouter than a Macanudo.

Of course, since it was our Labor Day celebration, I have to mention the food. The pictures are of what was left of burgers, macaroni salad, potato salad, baked beans, peach cobbler, and a blue berry cake. There was also homemade ice cream!

I think the desserts were what put me over the top! Until I found a Pepcid, I was rather miserable, and felt as wasted as the garbage can!

Hope everyone is having, or had, a wonderful holiday celebration (even if you live in another country).