By By Penny Randall / staff writer
Aug. 22, 2003
Union's Country Day will be filled with fun, political speeches and great entertainment.
The 27th annual event will be Saturday in downtown Union. It begins at 8:30 a.m. with the Antique Car Parade from Jackson Road through downtown Union.
The opening ceremony is at 9 a.m., followed by an official welcome by Mayor Max Sessums.
Introductions and welcome speeches will be presented by Miss Magnolia Kim Blackwell, Mississippi's Junior Miss Kristina Myers, Newton County's Junior Miss Misty Mayes, 2003 Choctaw Indian Princess Lena Tucker, Meridian's Junior Miss Jessica Curry and Lauderdale County's Junior Miss Baleigh Barham.
Other welcomes will be given by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon, state Rep. Billy Nicholson and state Sen. Terry Burton.
Republican candidate for governor Haley Barbour will speak at 10:10 a.m. followed by Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Barbara Blackmon.
Throughout the day a multitude of entertainers will perform, including The Doris Dickerson Band, country entertainer Carol Kay and the gospel bluegrass group Hickory Ridge.
Talent winners from tonight's competition will perform at 12:45 p.m.
The Christian group Proclamation will close the day with a free concert in Union's downtown mini park. A love offering will be taken during the show.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The 27th Annual Union Country Day will be Saturday in downtown Union. For information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 774-9586.
8:30 a.m. Antique Car Parade begins at Jackson Road
8:45 a.m. Union High School Band concert
9 a.m. Official opening of Country Day by the chairman, Dr. Marcus Finch. Welcome by Union Mayor Max Sessums
9:40 a.m. The Doris Dickerson Band performs
10:10 a.m. Haley Barbour speaks
10:15 a.m. The Lockey Sisters perform
10:30 a.m. Sen. Barbara Blackmon, Public Service Commissioner Neilson Cochran and Sen. Gloria Williamson speak
10:40 a.m. Clayton Pepper performs
11:10 a.m. Jason Mangum, candidate for Mississippi State Senate, State Auditor Phil Bryant and Newton County Tax Assessor Pat Addy speak
11:20 a.m. Marcie Hollingsworth Ferguson performs
11:45 a.m. Scott Newton, candidate for attorney general, and Wayne Burkes, candidate for state treasurer, speak
11:55 p.m. Madison Hardy performs
12:25 p.m. Introductions of 2003 Country Boy/Gal winners. Introductions of 2003 talent winners
12:35 p.m. Tom Edwards, candidate for State House of Representatives, speaks
12:45 p.m. Country day talent winners perform
1 p.m.: Carol Kay performs
1:35 p.m. More political candidates speak
1:45 p.m. Spirited Heart performs
2 p.m. Jennifer Bell performs
2 p.m. Mule Pull in City Park on Park Street
2:15 p.m. Hickory Ridge performs
2:45 p.m. Madonna Capps performs
3 p.m. Paul Sutherland performs
3:30 p.m. The Rev. Stanley Amos and the Joyful Heirs perform
4 p.m. Michael Miller performs
4:30 p.m. Pearl Quartet performs
5 p.m. Michael Fondren performs
5:15 p.m. Ab Stoliby performs
5:30 p.m. Rusty Walton performs
6 p.m. Closing of the arts and crafts festival
7 p.m. Proclamation performs in the downtown mini park. Free admission.