By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

In 1977, the state of Georgia launched the Government Project Competition Program in an effort to get towns and their citizens involved.

The question for the town of Tyrone was what to get the community involved in. The answer was Tyrone Founders Day, and this year marks the 24th annual celebration of the event.

In its first year, the celebration drew 100 people. There was a street dance, a teen contest, arts and crafts, awards for citizens of the year and the creation of the town flag. In 1998, the now two-day event drew 10,000 people. The festival now features a beauty pageant, a carnival, a junior high and adult dance, arts and crafts, a road race, a parade, commercial exhibits, an ice cream eating contest, fireworks, entertainment and much, much more.

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 14 and running through Sunday, Sept. 17, the carnival features rides and games along the midway and a one-price ticket for $9 is available for Thursday or Sunday by calling 770-487-1790 or 770-487-4038.

There will be a junior high dance under the big tent at Shamrock Park from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15. The adult dance will be the following evening from 7-11.

Saturday's festivities start early with a walk down Palmetto and Arrowwood Roads at 7:45 a.m. The road race down Castlewood and Briarwood Roads begins at 8 a.m. For entry information in the road race, visit www.tyrone.org or call 770-487-4038. The arts and crafts, commercial exhibits and food stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Shamrock park and the entertainment begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 11 p.m.

The parade, which begins at Senoia Road and travels down Castlewood Road, begins at 2 p.m. This years theme is "From Mother Goose to Dr. Seuss, Children's Classics on the Loose." It is one of the county's largest parades and a surprise visit from Mother Goose will highlight the parade. Awards for the best float, extreme teen and citizens of the year will be presented at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. There will also be a fireworks display on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.

A kids corner and art show will be both Saturday and Sunday. The kids corner will feature activities for toddlers and children on the ball field, including face painting, stories from Mother Goose and a moon walk. The art show will feature work from students from Tyrone and Burch Elementary School and will be displayed at the festival site.

Sunday's fun begins with "A Taste of Tyrone" at 1 p.m. The community is invited to taste entries in categories ranging from "fast and fabulous desserts and treats" to "casual snacks and appetizers." This is followed by an ice cream eating contest at 2 p.m., which is sponsored by Mayfield Milk. "Laff Olympics" for the children start at 3 p.m. and will feature games, story telling, magic and more.

Tyrone Founders Day gets bigger and better each and every year and this year is no exception. There will also be a shuttle that can take people from Founders Day activities to the Shakerag Festival in Peachtree City.

For information on any of these events, visit www.tyrone.org or call 770-487-4038.

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