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By Guest Columnist Anita Neath
CONCORD - In October 2012, Mr. Jimmy Gilbert compiled a brief history of the Concord Country Jubilee after speaking with Mrs. Mary Ann Dunn, co-founder of the Jubilee.
Mrs. Dunn stated she remembered coming up with the idea of having a fair in Concord after she attended the Cotton Pickin’ Fair in Gay, Georgia in 1972. She brought this idea to her husband, Mr. Bay Dunn, to present to Concord City Council. Mr. Dunn, who was a council member presented the idea of having a fair in Concord to then Mayor Robert Doug Crawford and standing Council Members Hal Dayhuff, Jimmy Gilbert and others. Mrs. Dunn informed local merchants about her idea but did not receive positive support at that particular time. City Council nominated Hal Dayhuff to head up the program but he refused. After giving it more thought he agreed along with his wife Barbara to head up the program. A meeting was conducted in the city park to establish committees such as advertisement, etc. A name for the fair was chosen by Mrs. Elder and thus the Concord Country Jubilee was “born” around 1972.
The first Concord Country Jubilee occurred in October 1973. The Concord Community Club established the first booth selling biscuits and sausage all cooked on a wooden stove. There were some good biscuit makers during those days. All proceeds went to support projects for the City of Concord, but in 1976 such funds were used to purchase a new fire truck (a 750 gallon FMC high pressure pumper). Around this time the first trained volunteer fire department was established in Concord. The first Assistant Fire Chiefs were John Strickland and Steve Lee.
Mrs. Dunn also stated that she and Mrs. Harold Janney visited different locations handing out flyers advertising the first Concord Country Jubilee. People associated with the Concord Country Jubilee over the years include but are not limited to Robert Doug Crawford, Bay and Mary Ann Dunn, Winnie Wilson, Hal and Barbara Dayhuff, Annie Lou Story, Sonny Story, Mrs. Barker, Eugene and Jean Ralston, Carolyn Oxford, Claire Owens, Harold and Jerry Janney, Steve Lee, John Strickland, Hubert Marshall, Virgil Brown, Robert Barron and Agnes McElveen.
Read details for this year's event in the article below.
CONCORD - The 42nd Annual Concord Country Jubilee will be held on Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th in Concord, Georgia from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday. There are many things to see, lots of neat items to take home, and a lot of events that are going on during the weekend!
Southern Cruisers Car Club of Griffin will hold a car show on Saturday, October 17th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a 50/50 drawing at 1:45 p.m. You must be present to win. Please note: Should it rain, the car show will be cancelled.
There will be a Jubilee Jaunt 5K Run, Jog, Walk presented by Pine Grove Baptist Church on Saturday, October 17, 2015. Register by October 10th and the price to run is $20. spirit runners are $15. Late or race day registration is $25. Registration will be held from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. The race kicks off at 7:30 a.m. All proceeds will benefit mission work. Contact melissabwhitley@att.net for more information. Registration forms can be downloaded from Facebook or can be picked up at Concord City Hall.
The Pike County Old Tractor and Equipment Club will be a part of the Jubilee again this year. Look for karaoke at the gazebo and a pumpkin carving contest too!
The Pike County Arts Council Pumpkin Carving Contest will begin on Saturday, October 17 at 9:45 a.m. Cost is $3 per entry with all pumpkins (10 pounds or less) and decorating materials provided by the participant. Students must be actively involved in decorating the pumpking with very limited help from a parent. The contest begins at 10 a.m. and pumpkin must be completed by 10:45 P.M. Come to the Corral, a fenced in area with concrete tables on side of antique store. Pumpkins will remain on display and may be picked up on Sunday.
Divisions are as follows: DIVISION P – Kindergarten-2nd graders, DIVISION E – 3rd-5th graders, DIVISION M- 6th- 8th graders, and DIVISION H- 9th-12th graders. Winners will be announced at 12:00 p.m. at the Coral Area and pictures made by PCAC and local newspaper. The Pumpkin Decorating Contest Prizes are: 1st- $20, 2nd-$10, and 3rd-$5.
Contest rules are as follows:
1. Students must be actively involved in decorating the pumpkin with very limited help
from a parent.
2. The pumpkin, no larger than 10 pounds, and all decorating materials are provided by
the student participating. Remember: this is NOT a carving contest, but a decorating
contest. Pumpkins may be pierced with toothpicks to attach decorations, but may not
be cut with a knife or pumpkin carving tool.
3. If you plan to use spray paint or spray adhesive, bring something to cover the area in
which you will be spraying to prevent damage to tables, concrete, etc.
4. No electrical outlets will be provided for hot glue guns or other electrical devices.
5. You may spray your pumpkin with a solid base coat of paint ahead of time. You may
not simply pre-make decorations and attach them on site. At least 50% of the
decorating must be done on site.
6. Use of agricultural items as decorations is encouraged.
7. Pumpkins will be judged on: creativity and originality (20 points), use of agricultural material
other than the pumpkin itself (15 points), overall appearance (25 points), degree of difficulty
(15 points), and family participation (25 points).
If you have questions about the Pumpkin Carving Contest, please contact the contest coordinator, Rebekah Hanson, at (770) 584-3505. Contest rules and an application can be downloaded at http://turnertech.wix.com/pikecountyartcouncil.
There will also be children's activities including inflatables, sand art, the train ride, face painting, the pony patch, and the petting zoo. There will also be live entertainment including the Bonnie Ridge Bluegrass Band, Kirkland and Friends, Fellowship Baptist Missionary Mass Choir, Turning Point, and the Four Fathers Quartet.
The parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday and feature the Pike County High School Marching Band.
Here is sample of what you will see at the Jubilee. There will be hand-made items including jams and jellies, candles, soaps, lotions, jewelry, birdhouses, honey, fashion badges, leather accessories, wooden toys and furniture, swings, duck calls, and holiday and seasonal decorations.
There will be confederate memorabilia, a spinning wheel demonstration, historical artifacts, collegiate novelties, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Origami Owl Jewelry, and Younique Products. Not to mention the sunglasses, vintage jewelry, antiques, and distressed furniture!
Of course there will be a ton of great food at the Concord Jubilee again this year. BBQ, hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken, coney dogs, french fries, hamburgers, vegetables, biscuits, blooming onions, shrimp N grits, jambalaya, fried pies, boiled peanuts, funnel cakes, cupcakes, cookies, homemade cakes, candy, Italian Ice, fresh produce and more!