Wednesday, September 12, 2001
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Wednesday, September 12, 2001 |
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Tyrone Founders day turns 25
By MICHAEL
BOYLAN The town of Tyrone began celebrating Founders Day 25 years ago. The governor of Georgia established the Governor's Project Competition Program in an effort to bring communities together. The committee in Tyrone decided to celebrate the founders of their town and they have been celebrating every year since. The first Founders Day celebration featured a street dance, a teen of the year contest, a citizen of the year contest, arts and crafts, and the creation of a town flag. More than 100 people attended the first celebration, but now 10,000 people attend the celebration annually. This year's festival began last Saturday with the first golf tournament and the carnival began last night. Tonight there will be a look-a-like contest under the entertainment tent at Shamrock Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tomorrow the contest will be "Decades" and Friday will feature a karaoke contest. The festival really gets underway Saturday morning with a one-mile walk and 5K race. The walk begins at 7:45 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. The 5K race is on a USATF certified course that begins and ends at the Tyrone Elementary School. Awards are presented to the first three males and females in the 5K race and the top two males and females in each age group. The overall male and female walker will also receive awards. The entry fees are as follows, $15 for 5K race, which includes a t-shirt to all finishers, $10 walkers with a t-shirt, and $5 for walkers for just a ribbon. Following the race, visitors are encouraged to peruse the booths of exhibitors, crafters, food vendors and local merchants. Entries into the art show will be on display on the fence at the tennis court and winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. The parade, which lines up on North Senoia Road under the Ga. Highway 74 bridge, begins at 2 p.m. There is no entry fee into the parade and awards will be presented to the top three floats. For entry information, visit www.tyrone.org or call 770-487-4694. Saturday evening will feature a Hawaiian themed adult dance from 7-11 p.m. and there will be a fireworks extravaganza over Lake Shamrock at 9:30 p.m. Sunday will feature all of the same rides, games and booths but will also include the Taste of Tyrone Contest, the ice cream eating contest, which begins at 1 p.m. and is open to all ages for free, and the first World of Wheels entertainment. Founders Day is, and always has been, about a community coming together to celebrate and have fun. That community continues to grow each year with more and more visitors sharing in the celebration. For information phone 770-487-4694. |
