By Staff
SLIP SLIDING AWAY Clint Taylor, left, and Ben McCree slide down one of the attractions on Saturday at the 1st Annual Clarke County Mayfest in downtown Quitman. Hundreds of people browsed arts and crafts booths, munched on hamburgers and barbecue and enjoyed live entertainment. PHOTO BY PAULA MERRITT / THE MERIDIAN STAR
By Ashley McPhearson / staff writer
June 1, 2003
The smell of charcoal-grilled hamburgers and fresh barbecue filled the streets of Quitman on Saturday as hundreds of people met for the 1st Annual Clarke County Mayfest.
Children laughed, played games and rode down a giant, air-filled slide. Adults mingled with friends, listened to political speeches or visited the many arts and crafts booths.
And so were many other people who attended the event organized by the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce to replace the Day in the Park festival that was usually held in Clarkco State Park.
The Chamber of Commerce office sold funnel cakes and barbecue plates, while the Happy Trails Ponyrides offered $4 rides and $3 pictures.
Local politicians combed the streets, shaking hands, soliciting votes and passing out their latest campaign paraphernalia. Sounds of country and gospel music filled the air as local entertainers performed in front of the train depot.
Some church youth groups manned their own booths along Main Street in an attempt to raise money for summer trips.
One youth group from Elim Baptist Church in Quitman offered to paint hair for $1 a color. Another group from Faith Tabernacle Church in Quitman sold grilled hamburgers.
Others, such as the Clarke County ATV Club, tried to involve children and their families in club activities something they said would keep teenagers out of trouble.