River Reunion draws crowd

Published 1:55 pm Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Hot and humid, and a shower of rain around noon time was the order of the day on the Fourth of July, as a large crowd gathered on the Banks of the Suwannee River for the annual River Reunion.

The day began with the Don Clark Classic Memorial 5K run in which some 70 runners and walkers participated.



Country and gospel music, a Karaoke contest and much more entertainment took place on the Greenway headed up by Oscar Cramer. Entertainment began following the opening ceremony and lasted until late in the afternoon.



Marsha Norris won $50 for being the grand prize winner in Karaoke. Gary Flansburg won second place.



Twelve year old Tyler Winburn came away with $97 in the Money Man Big 98.1 Cash Cube. Tickets were purchased by those wising to participate and Tyler’s name was drawn. Tickets were $1 each and was donated to River Reunion fireworks.



Peggy Terry, in charge of the vendors said there were twenty six vendor spaces purchased, with twenty four setting up. Many vendors signed up to come again next year, and were pleased with the crowd and the response of those in attendance.



The Patriotic Pet Contest headed up by Edith Eudy drew nine entries. Photos and winners coming soon.



North Florida Pharmacy won first place in the store front decorations contest. Friends Fine Things took second, Affordable Floral, third and Kat’s Cut and Curl fourth.



In the parade “Dr. Shine” took over all most patriotic; best float, entered by My Favorite Garden owned by Melissa Whifield; Best Car, Little Miss Olustee; honorable mentions went to Dr. Nancy Cooper, chiropractor, The Red Hat Society, Purple People Eater, United Methodist Church, Beachville Advent Christian Church.



More than thirty five entries made up the parade. Kathy Woolard and Michelle McCollum chairpersons said, “it was a very good parade. The judges suggested that the parade needed a band.”



The Rotary Club duck race scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m. was almost an hour late due to increased ticket sales, and also problems with the swiftness of the rising Suwannee River.

The day ended with a spectacular fireworks display for which hundreds and hundreds of people were present.



The River Reunion Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 5 to recap the festivities and organize for 2004.