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What’s Not to
Like?
That’s My Opinion
By Bob Robinson
As the final comments, commentary and opinion filter in from Annie
Oakley Days and the community begins to prep for The Great Darke County
Fair, I thought about the trials, tribulations and successes of past
Annie Oakley celebrations and how they relate to seemingly similar
concerns today.
I find it fascinating that people are still talking about the demise of
the Annie Oakley Days Festival and the conflict created by the
Gathering at Garst.
I don’t believe the Festival will ever go away; and I don’t believe
that the “Gathering” conflicts in any way with the Festival.
The Festival appeals to the “flea market” shopper in many of us, as
well as those who like the “western flavor” of the past. If planning is
timed properly, visitors could have taken part in Quick-Draw contests,
seen the Annie Oakley Western Arts Showcase, Shawnee Bandits and Indian
Creek Regulators, listened to their choice of musical entertainment and
taken a Historical Bus Tour. The Little Mr. & Miss Contest is
always a big hit as it is for many other community celebrations.
Then we have the annual Melodrama, the Annie Oakley Parade and the Miss
Annie Oakley Shooting Contest. These are as much a part of Darke County
and the Festival as Mom and Apple Pie are of love of Country.
Visitors could have spent some time talking to Miss Annie Oakley 2012,
Elisabeth Harless, and this year’s costume contest winner, Caitlin
Litten. These are charming young ladies who will serve the Festival
well. And there were plenty of opportunities for (possibly) a last
conversation with Annie Oakley Impersonator, Loretta Jones, who has
announced she is retiring.
The weekend was already packed with South Broadway Sidewalk Shopping,
the Annual 5K Run and the Pink Mile Walk. How can one more attraction
to bring people from around the state into our small community be
harmful?
Gathering at Garst takes a much broader view of history and includes
artisans, local organizations, even more musical options and unique,
one-of-a-kind offerings that visitors are not likely to see elsewhere.
This year’s theme was the Civil War and included special events like
Cannon Demonstrations, Neeake the Native American Story Teller and a
Civil War Skirmish.
This is in addition to the opportunity to visit Garst Museum… something
that I discovered last fall that even many local residents haven’t done.
Greenville Darke County Ohio offered enough power-packed family
entertainment over a 3-day weekend to compete with most theme parks.
When I ran for Commissioner, I was part of the parade – among others
over the summer - wearing my cowboy hat and waving at everybody.
Campaigning. Ugh. Not my favorite thing. But it was one of those
necessary evils. Meeting the people afterwards was fun, though.
While I’ve been able to distance myself from “participating” at other
parades in favor of just enjoying them, I seem to end up in the Annie
Oakley Parade every year. Usually it’s with the Greenville High School
Key Club…
This year, a new challenge arrived courtesy of a young writer, CNO Teen
Scribe Naiesha Thobe. The 2012 GHS graduate loves to write and is an
ardent follower of Sherlock Holmes… she wanted her own float to promote
CNO young writers and, of course, Mr. Holmes.
And she got it. Did a fantastic job, I might add. See her story posted
today on County News Online.
We juggled a few challenges and the Annie Oakley Parade Committee
generously allowed our late entries. I thank them for that. Turned out
to be the easiest parade yet. The Key Club, and Naiesha and friends,
did all the heavy lifting.
There is an incredible charm and love of history that I believe is
unique to Darke County.
Garst Museum, Bears Mill and Darke County Parks are almost daily
reminders of the value we hold in our past… and the faith we put in our
future. The ethics and hard work of the pioneers who built Darke County
are great learning tools for those who will carry on these traditions
in the future.
The kids have a great time and learn about what sets us apart from the
rest of the country.
Seems to me like it’s a win-win for everyone. What’s not to like?
That’s my opinion. What’s yours?
Following are the photos I took of participants getting ready for the
parade, the crowds as we passed through town, a treat Al Greiner
provided for the group afterwards, the Festival and the Gathering at
Garst. Al, with his bright red ’56 Ford Pickup, has been a great
supporter of our parade events over the years. Thanks, Al… you are
appreciated by all.
The following are links to earlier articles about the Annie Oakley Days
Festival:
Harless takes Miss Annie Oakley 2012 Honors, click here
Harless beats out tough competition, click here
They took the challenge, click here
Favorite Daughter celebration packed with excitement, click here
Annual Breast Cancer run brings out the best, click here
Jaysville Mayor: “Annual shooting contest a family affair”, click here
Clear as Mud in Brownsville, click here
Everyone loves a parade, click here
DAR holds storytime at Garst Gathering, click here
It was a Happy Day, click here
2012 Annie Oakely Parade, Greenville, Ohio, click here
It takes a community to support its “mint”, click here
Chance of a Lifetime, click here
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Story Photo Set: Getting ready
for the Parade, click here
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Photo Set 1: The Annie Oakley Days Parade from the
perspective of a participant, click here
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Photo Set 2: The Annie Oakley
Days Festival at the Fairgrounds, click here
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Photo Set 3: The Gathering at Garst, Garst Museum,
click here
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