Paint the Town Event

September 26, 2009

Downtown LaFollette, TN

 

Despite heavy rains throughout the day, LaFollette’s Paint the Town street fair was in many eyes a great success! 

            “Paint the Town is a keeper as an annual event,” Jo Anne Myers, President of the Campbell Culture Coalition, one of the street fair organizers, said. “This kind of street fair combines the talents of local artists, musicians and handcrafters with tours that bring the rich historic significance of LaFollette’s past to life.

            “Building on this formula will attract many visitors to the area,” she said.

            To prove her point, she added, “We were flooded with calls from local citizens when a rain forecast became likely. And afterward, more calls from others who said they wanted to come but thought we’d cancelled the fair.

            “Seasoned street painters and the first-time street painters alike want to come back for next year’s event, and some of the musicians indicated they want to return next year.”

            The day’s activities and rain began early but Coach Barry Jones and the Cougars basketball players showed up before day break to help direct traffic and set up signs. Chalk artists arrived shortly after day break and found cover under First National Bank’s drive through lanes. Undaunted, the artists worked all day under this shelter to produce five panels of  art based on master painters Vermeer, Bertelli, Van Gogh, and others. (Until washed away by water or rubbed away by tires, they can be viewed at First National Bank, which has agreed to let them wear away naturally.

            Five sets of musicians, some from as far away as Florida with family ties to the area, played throughout the day under separate tents at each end of the street. County Mayor William Baird popped popcorn for all who stepped up under the cover of the library entrance. County Commissioner Melvin Boshears and his helpers fried pounds of fish, hushpuppies and french fries, a welcome treat to all who lined up under double food tents.

            The U.T. Extension 4-H club and the 21st Century after-school program provided home baked desserts, and oodles of fun activities for kids.

            Face painting, hand made crafts, prizes and treats by local merchants contributed to the fun for those who donned raincoats and lifted umbrellas on historic South Tennessee Avenue.

            “Local businesses, artisans, food vendors and many others can build successfully on this kind of an event, just as other communities with unique settings and a rich history have been able to do,” Myers said. “LaFollette has an abundance of assets in its natural setting and its people.”

            This year’s street painting festival was produced by the Campbell Culture Coalition, City of LaFollette Parks and Recreation Department, and Lakeside Merchants Association. Funding and in kind services were provided by several local businesses and individuals. The broad support for this event was deeply appreciated by the organizers.