20th annual homecoming a hit for community

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON News Editor for the Southern Standard

An overcast morning sky eventually turned sunny this year for the 20th annual Viola Valley Homecoming, and though the temperature crept close to the 90s, it was still a welcome change from the sudden showers which put a temporary damper on last year?s event. The Homecoming is organized by the Viola Valley Commission, Inc, and board member Cindy Swann says the group is pleased with how things went this year, though there was some uneasiness about the weather early on.

?I think it was great,? Swann said. ?We were a little bit concerned when we heard there was a lot of rain in McMinnville, but somehow or other we managed to avoid a lot of that. We had a good crowd, good turnout.?

The two day celebration kicked off with the Friday night roster of activities including a supper served by the Covenant Academy. Tommy Wright?s Viola Valley Farm Museum opened its doors from 4-9 p.m., and the General Store, along with a variety of crafts and concessions, was available for attendees to browse while they waited for the Tractor Pull, a big favorite with the kids, to begin at 7 p.m.

Saturday?s activities got an early start with the traditional Viola Valley Homecoming Parade at 9 a.m. This year?s theme was ?Salute to All Troops and our Homecoming? and the parade exemplified that sentiment by appointing 89-year-old W.W.II veteran Sgt. John H. Freeman as Grand Marshal. This was followed up with a flag raising by the Warren County VFW post followed by a special presentation to one of Viola?s citizens. According to Swann, each year a member of the community is selected to receive a silver tray commemorating the event. This individual is chosen by the commission for his or her contributions to the community. This year?s honoree was Harold ?Bud? Clayborne.

The parade itself proved to be one of the more extensive in the event?s history. The WCHS Band, Pioneerettes and Flag Corps were on hand, doing a great job with their music and performance, to the delight of the crowd.

A large number of inventive floats provided visual flair, and the parade featured a line of antique and custom cars, four wheelers, motorcycles, mules and wagons and horses and riders that stretched well into the distance.

?The parade was fantastic,? Swann said. ?We had floats from different places that we haven?t had prior to this year. It was like the Christmas parade.?

The day continued with a wide variety of festivities and activities like the Mule Show, sheep-herding, musical groups, including Monte Swann and Friends, and dance group Rhythm Express. There were competitions for the kids, like the Mini-pedal tractor pull and the Little Miss Viola Valley contest. The Little Miss title was earned by five-year-old cutie Savannah Skye Saylors. Her proud parents are Jamie and Chantel Saylors.

There were all kinds of displays for the crowds to enjoy, including a threshing demonstration, farm equipment and antique gas engines, antique tractors and arts and crafts, the Belvidere Valley Lawn & Garden.

Attendees also got to take part in a silent auction with a number of interesting and valuable items.

To cap off a wonderful weekend, the ?On The Road Again? show provided much entertainment and fun to the crowd on Saturday night.

Many memories were made at the 20th anniversary of the Viola Valley Homecoming.