Dale County AlArchives News.....Centennial Draws to Conclusion October 15 1970 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 May 6, 2004, 10:14 pm Southern Star CENTENNIAL DRAWS TO CONCLUSION Centennial Week is almost over, with concluding festivities to take place today (October 15). All day long, the Ozark Service League is holding their Centennial Bazaar at the Perry Recreation Center and this evening the final performance of "An Era of Progress" will be staged at Eagle Stadium. The celebration began just a week ago, with Old Fashioned Bargain Days being conducted by local merchants. Thursday evening, October 8, a large crowd gathered at the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church where they participated in a Sacred Harp Singing. Bargain Days continued Friday, with Ozark's streets crowded with folk in vintage apparel, colorfully strolling among the sidewalk sale displays. That evening, the Centennial Ball was held at the National Guard Armory, with music by Jerry Skeen, and "The Starlighters". Over 300 persons crowded into the armory for that event which was reported a resounding success by Mrs. Etta Claire Novak, chairman. Mayor Tom Goff kicked off Saturday's activities by cutting the Centennial cake at the Hospitality Center. During the afternoon, thousands of people lined the streets of Ozark to see perhaps the most unique parade in Ozark's history. Winding through the streets were antique automobiles, colorful floats and marching units, including some nine bands. SQUARE DANCE The afternoon's fun continued with a Square Dance workshop and barbecue at the Armory. That evening a square dance was held with Rod Blaylock of Albany, Ga., among the guest Callers. Sunday was American Heritage Day in Ozark, with festiviies being suspended in the morning so that each citizen might attend the church of his choice. That afternoon, some 1,500 persons stopped by between the hours of 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., to tour the J. D. Holman home on Broad Street, while still others attended a Gospel Singing at Old Claybank Church. The Johnson Quartet of Daleville appeared at the latter event. On Sunday evening, another large gathering heard Dr. Bob wilson, Superintendent of the Dothan District of the Methodist Church speak at a Heritage Union Service. Musical numbers were by members of the choir of the Ozark Baptist Church. A pancake and sausage breakfast sponsored by the Optimist Club of Ozark started the day bright and early Monday. Breakfast was served until mid-morning when the Optimists switched over to serve barbecue in a tent opposite City Hall. All day, large crowds gathered to eat the barbecue and according to Optimist officials, it was even necessary to cook more meat than had been anticipated, the crowd proved to be so large. BEARD CONTEST At 6:00 p.m., the final judging of the Brothers of the Brush took place in front of the barbecue tent and of the 45 entries, the beard of Lamar Powell was judged to be the best-all-around. There were 12 categories of competition and winners in each category were : Van Dyke Style, Burette Mixon; Lincoln Beard, Richard Grantham; full beard, Ed Stroud, first place and Jerry Cotton, second place; moustache, Dan Sowell, first place, and Robert Lisenby, second place. Mutton chops, Doug Gulledge, first place, and Pete Mosley, second; side burns, Earle Thompson, first, and Dan Sowell, second; reddest beard, Cy Lisenby, first, and R. C. Duncan, second; longest beard, Henderson Holman, III, first and Leon Hood, second; best trimmed beard, Lamar Powell, first, Robert Logan, second, and Leon Hood third; and most unusual beard, Doug Gulledge, first, and Daimy Mellor, second. A special award for having "tried the hardest but got the leastest" went to Robert Deloney. Monday evening, the event which all Ozark had been looking forward to was staged at Eagle Stadium, "An Era of Progress" with over 200 participants and spectators numbering in the hundreds, was acclaimed a resounding success and performances have continued nightly, drawing large crowds. CENTENNIAL QUEEN A highlight of Monday night's activities was the crowning of Miss Susan Snellgrove, 19, as Centennial Queen. Miss Snellgrove is the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. William Snellgrove, her father being the pastor of Southside Baptist Church. Miss Snellgrove is employed at Fort Rucker and she sold almost 37 books of tickets to the Centennial pageant, to earn first place in the race for queen. She was crowned by Mayor ProTem Fred Barkett. Close behind Miss Snellgrove in second place was Miss Margie Snell, with Mrs. Cy Lisenby taking third honors. The other two princesses in the queen's court are Miss Kathy Mitchell and Miss Kathy Dennis. The Centennial Queen and her court will continue to reign at each of the remaining pageant performances. PIONEERS HONORED Tuesday was Pioneer and Old Settlers Day, with a luncheon at the Hiway Host highlighting the activities. At the luncheon, the persons who had resided in Ozark the greatest number of years were honored. Mrs. Laura Balkcomb, 92. and W. T. (Will) Baker, 96, were the winners, with Mrs. Terry Godwin Mizell of Montgomery and Daniel Hormer Howell of Orlando, Fla., receiving recognition for having come the longest distance to attend the Centennial. Then Tuesday evening, preceding the pageant, a large group watched the Fort Rucker Heel and Tee Club as they presented a square dance exhibition at Eagle Stadium. Youth Day was proclaimed Wednesday, with youth taking over various offices in city and county government. In the afternoon Carroll High School's Choral Group performed on the southeast corner of the Courthouse lawn. weather permitting, the festivities close this evening, Southern Star page 1 Oct. 15, 1970 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 6.3 Kb