Memorial Day means Honor Fountain City!
By Mike Steely
steelym@knoxfocus.com
There are several events planned for next Monday as our area celebrates Memorial Day but there’s nothing like the special events at Honor Fountain City Day.
The celebration, presented by Fountain City Town Hall, Inc., always draws a huge crowd to Fountain City Park on North Broadway. The theme this year is “A Walk in the Park” and preparations are underway by the Fountain City Town Hall neighborhood organization for the 42nd event that features just about everything you can imagine during a local celebration.
Admission is free and you’ll find a variety of vendors, political candidates, and lots of things for children to do including games with prizes, a bounce house, and face painting. There’s also a demonstration in the pavilion at 11 a.m. by the UT Entomology Department called “Bug Zoo.”
Running from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., the day features various musical groups including Nostalgia, Brandywine, River’s Drift and the Tennessee Wind Symphony. A train will carry adults and children around the park and Tennessee Model-A Cars will be on display. The Joyful Twirlers will be performing and historian Dr. Jim Tumblin will display photos of Fountain City’s past.
Door prize tickets will be sold for $1 at the Town Hall Booth and the program announcer will be Ken Clayton.
The Community Awards program begin at 3 p.m. as Kelly Ellenburg, Chair of the Fountain City Town Hall, welcomes guests. Presentation of the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance will be presented by Boy Scout Troop 55. Carol Evans, Executive Director of Legacy Parks, is the keynote speaker and will discuss the importance of greenways, trails and public parks to healthy, walkable communities.
The Community Awards for 2018 this year are:
- Commercial Restoration award, to be presented to McAlister’s Deli on Tazewell Pike for their restoration and reuse of a commercial building
- Residential Restoration award, to be presented to Mr. Chad Kiser, homeowner of 412 Midlake Drive, for restoration and beautification of a residential property
- Town Hall Chairman’s award, to be presented to Mr. Bill Dohm and Mrs. Patty Cooper, owners of Savage Garden on Garden Drive, for their contributions to the community
- Friend of Fountain City award, which recognizes an individual who although living outside of Fountain City makes tremendous contribution to the area—City Councilman Finbarr Saunders
The 2018 Fountain City Woman and Man of the year will be presented prior to the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Gazebo.
WBIR’s John Becker will speak on “Service and Sacrifice” and Lynn Bennett will sing “America the Beautiful” and all active duty military will be honored as Bennett sings “God Bless America.” Following a moment of silence the East Tennessee Honor Guard will play “Taps.”
More than two dozen businesses and the city’s Public Service Department are helping sponsor the event.
Honor Fountain City Day is an ideal event for the entire family; there’s lots to do, lots to see, and it’s a nice way to spend Memorial Day locally.
