The word continues to circulate with positive reactions to this year's Festival on the Square. The Clay County Historical & Arts Council reflects on this 40th year with relief and pride in the sense of community generated during the weekend. The mobilization of a large number of volunteers is vitally important for this annual fundraiser to be successful. Many of those volunteers were recognized in an earlier article. In years past high school coaches could be counted on to encourage team members to lend assistance in setting up for the festival and taking down afterwards. This year, Coach Chad McClure encouraged team members to come to the square after their involvement in an early morning football camp at school. Without hesitancy, these young men made quick work of organizing tents, tables and chairs into place for the weekend. It is with much appreciation and gratitude that CCHAC extends a "Thank You" to Avery Leatherwood, Taylor McClure, Lane Odell, Dawson Devane, Dawson Coker, Jake McTaggart, Tyler Hilton, Seth McCaslin, Kyle Lunsford, Seth Leek, Bryan Davenport, Chandler Dempsey, Michael Mauney, and Blake McClure. Also on the "Thank You" list are those who came to assist in taking down everything and returning equipment to storage. With guidance from Bill Christy and other volunteers, Logan Caldwell, Tyler Hilton, Jeremy Graves, Maddie Christenson and Will Engelmann made sure the square was cleared and ready for the next event on the Beal Center schedule.
It is difficult to adequately express the gratitude for all those who contributed to this effort. The community responded again with a generous contribution of volunteer hours. The meaning of the word “community” takes on a much deeper meaning when that generosity is witnessed.
Reba Beck