By Kay S. Pedrotti It’s a well-worn expression, but this year it’s more appropriate than ever ‘“ there’s something for everybody at Buggy Days. Chairman Tim Turner (see related story) is the enthusiastic workman at the helm in planning to thrill, feed, entertain and delight folks of all ages. The Barnesville- Lamar Chamber of Commerce, led by president Emily Rowland and chairman Ernie Neubauer, along with executive assistant Lindsey Corley and IDA executive director Missy Kendrick, have assembled a massive team of volunteers ‘“ well over 100 ‘“ to insure everything goes smoothly. One welcome addition will be the designation of handicapped parking only at the library parking lot. Pets other than service animals are not allowed at Buggy Days for safety and sanitation reasons. Here is a comprehensive sampling of events, starting with the Thursday, Sept. 19 lineup. All events are sponsored by the chamber unless otherwise noted. Results of the beauty pageants are given elsewhere in this edition. Kids Night, Sept. 19, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Summers Field, for ages 0-12. Hula-hooping and coloring contests, games, piñatas and horse rides are included. Contest winners get an all-day pass to the Buggy Blast Fun Park. Anything Goes Games starting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 ‘“ that’s a good name for it. Bring a lawn chair to Summers Field to watch the sack race, three-legged race, water balloon toss and other favorite competitions. Teams of men, women and children are registered for the fun. Friday Sept. 20 features only the Concert and Street Dance, gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets at the gate $10, children under 10 free. The Tyler Hammond band opens for Lady Creech at 7 p.m. Bring chairs. Buggy Days Weekend Events and Extras The annual Buggython Road Race starts at 8 a.m. Run or walk in the 10K or 5K Road Race, 5K Race Walk or 2-Mile Fun Walk. Cost to participants is $18 for adults, $15 ages 12 and under and $10 for the fun walk. Parking is on the Gordon State campus at the College Drive lot. The Lamar County board of education sponsors this event. The Team One Realty Pie-Eating Contest goes on at 10 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. on Saturday on the downtown stage. Winners compete in the finals Sunday at 2 p.m. Entry fee is $5 and prizes are given. Antique Car Display goes on all day Saturday Sept. 20 at the courthouse parking lot, except for parade time, when the cars will roll along with floats, bands and buggies. 40th Annual Buggy Days Parade begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at Summers Field on College Drive and moves downtown to Main Street. Highlights are local marching bands, civic organizations, beauty contest winners, dancers and the Shriners. The Grand Marshall is Outstanding Citizen Charles Glass. Old Fashioned Games ’“ they’re not kidding. On Saturday the gates at Summers Field will open at 5 p.m. with games starting at 6 p.m. Admission is $2 per person, ages 4 and under free. The greased pole climb winner gets a $100 prize and the pig chase winner gets to keep the pig. A new feature will be an all-ladies pig chase. Bring chairs or blankets. Fireworks! Just after the Old Fashioned Games, stay seated for the fireworks display sponsored by Barnesville and the chamber. The booms begin about 9:30 p.m. Both days, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sept. 21 from 1-5 p.m., artists and crafters from all over the country display their wares on the streets of downtown Barnesville. The variety of wonderful things is endless. Both days also feature local and regional talent on the downtown stage. Music will include country, gospel and rock and roll. Dance groups will perform also. For who’s scheduled when, visit buggydays.org. Weekend visitors also may tour the Old Jail Museum and Archives behind the courthouse. Admission is $1 to see historic memorabilia including several buggies and a surrey made in Barnesville. Local talent is on display at the Lamar Arts Gallery in the train depot. This exhibit, open for both days, is fiber art. Gifted artists from Lamar and the surrounding area are showing quilts, yarn creations, wall hangings, needlepoint and other fascinating ways of turning fiber into art. There is no admission fee but donations are welcome. The always-popular Buggy Blast Fun Park is in the United Bank parking lot on the courthouse side of Main Street both days. A train, inflatables, bungee jump and rock-climbing wall will be available for a $10 all-day wristband. Laser tag and buggy or carriage rides will be offered for an additional charge. Get your newly designed and colorful Buggy Days T-shirts now or later at the Chamber of Commerce, Slices, Pastime and American Pie. The cost is $18 for S-XL and $20 for 2X and 3X. Lamar County Fire-Rescue again sponsors a First Aid Station and Cooling Booth for festival goers. They also offer safety training for the entire family. Best of all, the Food Court is bigger than ever, still in the Stafford Building parking lot. Most vendors are open both days. Local churches and civic groups offer traditional and unique foods at reasonable prices. Sample as much as possible!
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