Chamber resets annual festival
Committee to take on special event to honor area veterans
By Lori Mellinger Bullard Banner News

A few tempers flared at the monthly Chamber of Commerce meeting last week but were later soothed when members soundly voted to reschedule the annual Red, White and Blue festival. Two members volunteered to augment it with a dedicated service to honor veterans on Armed Forces Day.

John Alexander and Jay Abercrombie volunteered to spearhead a dedicated service on Armed Forces Day, taking away the biggest objections to the rescheduling of the festival.

"I would like to thank these two gentlemen for seeing the need to continue the festival on Armed Forces Day. I know that they will do a great job," wrote Susan Gardner, in an e-mail to chamber members.

Gardner left the chamber meeting before the vote was cast but was the most outspoken in her objection to the date change of the festival.

"Again, thank you John and Jay so much for seeing the need for the festival and this tradition be (sic) carried on," she wrote.

Alexander and Abercrombie are searching for area veterans.

Anyone who is a veteran or knows one is asked to call Darline McKay at 903-894- 4001. or e-mail her at remember. when@earthlink.net. The group is putting together a database, hoping to reach as many area veterans as possible.

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May - which this year is May 19. There were previously separate Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard days.

According to the military, the first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions and air shows.

Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May, and Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May.

As for the festival, members voted 25 to 1 to change the date, allowing it to coincide with Bullard's homecoming. Two abstained from the vote.

Sammie Huddleston made the motion to change the date, with Gene Ramsey seconding it.

Board members - who presented the festival change - said the biggest reasons are a higher involvement and cooler temperatures.

While Chamber President Danny Ray said everything was still in preliminary stages, ideas the board are mulling include: military people in uniform and/or presenting identification get in free to the game, a special recognition at half time, and other various salutes to those who have served.

Councilwoman Stacey Thompson has already volunteered her services to write a grant to offset the cost of advertising the festival.

If successful, this could add an additional $2,500 in the coffers.

According to budget figures, the festival made about $500 last year, with revenue at $9,785.56 and expenses totaling $9,273.81.

Jacksonville chamber officials, in comparison, said they normally make about $3,000 on Tomato Fest.

Along with the festival change, members approved an annual budget for the chamber to operate by in the coming year.

The chamber meets the first Thursday of the month beginning at 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.