Greene Countrie Towne Festival a big hit

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The 2016 edition of the Greene Countrie Towne Festival in Greenfield attracted good crowds under mostly pleasant weather conditions, with a huge turnout on hand for Saturday night’s concert by The Adams Boys and the Greenfield Express band.

On Sunday afternoon, a parade featuring more than 60 entrants was enjoyed by hundreds of festival goers as it made its way east on Jefferson Street through the downtown district.

Ron Coffey, city manager of Greenfield and a Greenfield Rotarian, said the annual event sponsored by Rotary couldn’t have gone better.

Coffey said he and the other volunteers who help with the event “are all dehydrated and exhausted.” He said, “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it for the community.”

He estimated that anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 people may have been on hand for Saturday night’s concert, and he said he thought the Rotary auction earlier in the day raised about $18,000, although final figures were not yet available. Coffey said some food vendors sold out.

One of the surprise events during the weekend was proclaiming Saturday as “Jimmy Jones Appreciation Day,” honoring the longtime local resident and photographer for his contributions to the community. Coffey said Jones helps with a lot of community events, but he was honored particularly for running the Daryle C. Unger & Peanut Memorial Kids Fishing Derby.

“He raises all the money, he has auctions and makes sure every kid gets a prize,” said Coffey, adding that the award took Jones by surprise.

“We really got him. He was speechless,” said Coffey.

On Friday night, Natalie Cunningham was crowned festival queen, with Maddy Davis serving as 1st runner up and Heather Parker as 2nd runner up.

Other popular events were performer Jeremy Pinnell, popular DJ “Rockin’ Ron,” a baby contest, antique tractor show, car show, the Modern Movement Dance Company, the Professor Fairs Magic Show, a petting zoo, guitarist singer/songwriter Caleb Mootispaw, Boonie the Magician, and the designation of Edward Lee McClain Day, honoring the industrialist and philanthropist for whom the school is named. There were amusement rides for the kids and a variety of food vendors for all tastes.

“I just want to thank all the volunteers and all the people who came out,” said Coffey.

Reach Gary Abernathy at 937-393-3456 or on Twitter @abernathygary.

A variety of colorful floats, youth organizations, church displays, antique tractors, police and fire vehicles and many other exhibits, as well as good weather, made the Greene Countrie Towne Festival Parade on Sunday a big hit. See more pictures from the festival inside, and visit timesgazette.com for video coverage of the parade and other festival scenes.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/07/web1_gctf-float-2016.jpgA variety of colorful floats, youth organizations, church displays, antique tractors, police and fire vehicles and many other exhibits, as well as good weather, made the Greene Countrie Towne Festival Parade on Sunday a big hit. See more pictures from the festival inside, and visit timesgazette.com for video coverage of the parade and other festival scenes.
Big crowd for concert, colorful parade

By Gary Abernathy

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