Friday, October 3, 2003

Hundreds turn out for birthday fest

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
Special to The Citizen

There was plenty to do in Palmetto last weekend even if you were short on cash.

The town's 150th Anniversary Celebration stretched out over four fun-filled days and included a barbecue, a car show, a bake sale and parade, to name just a few of the events.

Last Thursday night, 21 delicious-looking cakes were brought to the Palmetto Neighborhood Senior Center and quickly disappeared at the cakewalk, which only cost $1. A silent auction was also held at the center that evening with items donated by local area businesses. Leaf blowers, a saber saw, a chess set, a bird house and other decorative and gift items vied for people's attention.

To keep everyone well fed in the traditional fashion of more than a century ago, a meatless dinner was served for a mere $5. It included black-eyed peas, pinto beans, sliced tomatoes, creamed corn, whipped potatoes, sliced onions, regular and cracklin' cornbread and a selection of cakes and pies.

If you were not too full, the Cedar Grove Group provided music to dance to at a hoedown on the ground's patio. Many of the residents ladies including the Center's director, Patty O'Bryen dressed in colorful, old-fashioned bonnets and skirts.The men wore bib overalls and the occasional straw hat.

On Friday, a barbecue in Palmetto City Park served chicken, pork and sandwiches and those who volunteered their time and effort for the city's celebration received a plaque in recognition. There was more music, line dancing and a Kitchen band to entertain the crowds.

Saturday saw a huge car show at the Georgia Baptist Children's home with booths of all sorts including a Chick-fil-A and a Mellow Mushroom booth.

A parade down Church Street led to the park where an art show and a quilt show awaited onlookers. There were old-fashioned games such as sack races, wheel barrow races, a limbo contest, a biscuit eating contest and a Jell-O eating contest for the kids and the kids at heart.

Later in the evening a "womanless wedding" was held at the Palmetto Elementary Gym much to everyone's amusement.

Sunday saw the dedication of a Palmetto tree planted at the Train Depot. A tour of homes and a trolley tour of Palmetto steered the final days events in a historical direction. Several displays of pictures and artifacts throughout the city gave people a chance to see what their town was like in its early days.

The closing ceremonies were held at the Children's Home. A band concert and followed by a candlelight service brought the birthday weekend to a close.