Thursday, July 23, 2009
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Thursday, July 23, 2009 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery |
| Fielder’s Choice Nice temps greet activities Leaving for the Knotty Bolden Memorial Rodeo Saturday night, I had second thoughts about the shorts I was wearing. My son Andy had put on jeans, more fitting for a rodeo, and apparently more appropriate for our third weekend of July weather, too. He had gone to the event Friday night, too, and warned, “It got kind of cool out there. Some people were wearing jackets.” So I changed into my khakis. Have you ever seen a more beautiful weekend in July? I had been eyeing the weather forecast since early in the week – highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s, possibly even going down into the 50s. Riding to the rodeo with good friend and photographer Ronnie Day, we enjoyed rolling the windows down and soaking in the cool air. “Feels like October,” I remarked, “like when we’re traveling to Friday night football games.” Lots of rodeo fans were on hand at the arena on Highway 7 North to enjoy the 25th annual Knotty Bolden Memorial Rodeo. We arrived in time for the Kids Rodeo and stayed through the last event, bull riding. Fittingly this year, the Knotty Bolden Memorial Buckle was presented to Jerry Bolden. Jerry has worked tirelessly the past 25 years to make the rodeo, dedicated to the memory of his brother, a huge success. No one is more deserving. Most of the night, we were positioned at the fence near the announcer’s podium in search of the best photos. Close by, just inside the fence, were the gates – where the bulls, with riders atop, were released. A couple of times we found ourselves moving backward. The rodeo was lots of fun. And I hate to admit it, but my 15-year-old was right. By the time we left about 10 p.m., I needed those long pants – in the middle of July. My family spent Friday night and a good portion of the day Saturday at the Kudzu Festival in downtown Holly Springs. We arrived at the carnival about 6:15 p.m. Friday. The crowd was small early on, but by the time we left about 9 p.m., it was large, and as mentioned earlier, the weather was perfect. I stayed away from the rides myself, except the bumper cars, which I enjoyed with my 7-year-old Erin and her friends. I could barely look at the big roller coaster without getting sick. The most popular ride, once again, looked to be “Moby Dick.” We also left with a few stuffed animals from the dart-throwing-at-balloons game. The dunking booth was popular Saturday. Kelly McMillen, Marshall County deputy sheriff, and Robert Pearson, Holly Springs chief of police, were taking their turns while we were in attendance at the Kudzu Festival. Chief Pearson’s first plunge came courtesy of my son Andy. Chief Pearson asked me, “Who does that one belong to?” I had to admit it, “Me, Chief. He belongs to me.” I then warned Andy, with a laugh, “You know you’re about to get your driver’s license.” Chief Pearson was having as much fun as those trying to dunk him. He brought out one of those long-range water guns and fought back. It was truly a nice weekend – weather and activities. |
     
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