By By Emilie Mims
Having been involved in coordinating Mayfest for the past 14 years it is hard to think of new and different ideas for an event which has been in existence since the early 1970's.
At the Chamber of Commerce we brainstorm each year as to what we might add – and we do come up with new ideas! However, as I spent the day at Tom Byrne Park on Saturday I realized how events like Mayfest enhance our sense of being a part of community. And isn't that exactly what makes living in a small town such a great experience? What could be better than watching your child or grandchild perform on the Mayfest stage or seeing the anticipation on a little one's face as they fish with cane poles for prizes at a community booth?
Mayfest is a great community event and a great memory maker for children and the Chamber is proud to offer this opportunity to our citizens. On Saturday, May 7, Tom Byrne Park was full to overflowing with families making memories.
The Chamber would like to first thank our corporate sponsors, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company and Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union for their support of this event now in its 32nd year.
And now to touch on a few of the sponsored venues beginning with the Beautiful Baby Contest. Over 100 babies competed for this coveted title but in truth, they were all beautiful, and we so appreciate the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who turned out for this contest. Thank you to Dr. Cynthia Worrell -White at the Atmore Children's Clinic for sponsoring this event and Edie Jackson of Tiny Town Daycare who not only chaired the event but also provided the prizes. To the judges, who will remain unnamed, thank you.
Thanks to Lana Langford the Gazebo Stage was rocking all day with a great line up of entertainment.
If you have never seen a dachshund dressed as a bumble bee or a Weimaraner dressed in a pink tutu you might have missed your chance. The Mutt Strutt sponsored by Spayed with Heart featured all kinds of canine babies in costumes including the pets of Atmore Advance Publisher, Adam Prestridge.
Everyone is still talking about talent that was on display in the Student Photography Contest. What a great addition! Sponsored by the First National Bank of Atmore and chaired by local photographers, Wesley Channell and T. J. Clayton of Captured Moments Photography, this event for grades 6th – 12th attracted more than 100 entries. Look for the winner on the cover of the Atmore magazine in June.
New events for this year also included a Chamber sponsored Cake Walk. Many thanks to all of the ladies that did the baking as well as Cindy Lee and Peggie Byrd for chairing this event.
Our thanks also to Maxwell, Haley and Castleberry Insurance and Real Estate who sponsored the Chamber Ambassador "Let Go Fishing Tent" and Susan Smith who helped the Ambassadors bait the hooks! Also thank you to chamber members, Frontier Communications and United Bank, who both participated with lots of giveaways for kids. The chamber would also like to thank the Mayor Howard Shell , Street Supervisor Don Whatley, Police Chief Jason Dean, Alabama Power Company, Diamond Food Marts, Atmore Auto Parts, and The Swift Companies for their support and donations.
There were lots of volunteers who were so generous with their time and we thank them all. Especially our heroes Ronnie Huskey, Terry Owens, Mitch Staples, and Johnny Rodgers. We also thank all the people of Atmore that joined us.
Emily Mims is the director of the Chamber of Commerce.