Carl Keith Greene
Summer draws to a close earlier now than it did when I was growing up. It’s amazing that school has already started.
August was the month for vacations, trips to Boonesboro Beach before it was a state park, Joyland Park in Lexington, Natural Bridge State Park in Slade and a couple of times even a trip to Florida.
And, of course, in my hometown, there was the Laurel County Homecoming for which to look forward.
I just got the first word of the upcoming August festivities for this year at the Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park.
In the old days the local paper would begin plugging the event months before it was scheduled.
It was then done on the “Weekend of the Full Moon in August.” Now it’s on the third weekend in August.
When it originated it was about the biggest thing that ever hit the county and it was looked forward to by all who had left Laurel County as a time to return and renew old friendships.
Lately it has seemed to be taking the last breaths of a dying tradition, not that I hope it dies. I hope that in some way it will survive.
And it looks like this year may be a year of rebirth.
It all began in the mid-1930s when the Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park was dedicated one Sunday in July.
And in some form or other the homecoming has, for about 75 years, reproduced itself each August.
This year it seems to be getting a new burst of life with younger people and younger ideas. Perhaps we are truly beginning the event’s next 75 years.
Early in the life of the homecoming, Laurel natives who have excelled in some particular field began to be honored each year, and this year John David Dyche, Sen. Mitch McConnell’s biographer, will be that honoree.
Once the honors were presented at a banquet in the park clubhouse prior to the Saturday night program. This year the honored guest will be honored at the Heritage Foundation’s Heritage Homecoming Ball at a tent near the park’s picnic grounds on Saturday night. By the way, a group called the Heritage Foundation has assumed the function of making sure the homecoming continues.
It consists of former honorees, former committee volunteers and former homecoming queens. Those who might be interested in participating in the Heritage Foundation can call 878-2775 or 682-1571.
Another new event at this year’s homecoming will be on Thursday night with Picnic with the Pops.
A 17-piece “big band” will evoke memories of the 1940s and picnickers will be eligible for awards for the party or group that picnics with decor that best fits the year’s theme, “There’s No Place Like Home.”
Friday night will see the Coca-Cola Classic Talent Contest, a new event in the park’s amphitheater.
Lots of new things, lots of new ideas, lots of new people organizing the events and, we hope, lots of people filling the park over that weekend, and lots of people lining Main Street for the “Downtown Affair,” a new event for Friday afternoon before the parade.
It all begins next Thursday, Aug. 20. I hope to see you there.
Carl Keith Greene is a writer for the Times-Tribune. He can be reached at cgreene@thetimestribune.co
What a wonderful column! I'm mightily impressed with Greene's way with words. He is truly a genius.
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