A Happy Days Celebration to raise money for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is set for Saturday downtown.
Ralph Vaughn, one of the organizers of the event, says the day’s activities will include a classic car show, lots of music, fun things for kids to enjoy, and a sock hop, among others. “We have three major reasons for doing this event. To celebrate the completion of the newest home on Hayes Street. To recognize and further promote the idea that Habitat for Humanity is truly important in any community. To raise some money for the continuation financially of the program and we’re hoping to raise several thousands of dollars this coming Saturday.”
“A lot of the entertainment is free. There will be a modest $5.00 registration fee for those who participate in the classic car contest and there will be a $5.00 donation to go to the sock hop that evening.”
“We’ve got something for practically everybody from about 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Saturday. In fact, the whole festivity kicks off at two o’clock with the car show. Imagine about seventy classic antique automobiles around the public square downtown. We’ll have an opening ceremony at two o’clock. Members of the DCHS marching band will be performing on the square. They will kick off the ceremony.”
“We’ll have an outside stage which will be on the east steps of the courthouse. We’ll also have an inside stage at the 303 building on the north side of the public square. So at two o’clock we’ll have the opening ceremony outside with the DCHS band performing. At two thirty p.m. on the outside stage, we’ll have a Garth Brooks tribute artist performing. He’ll perform for about thirty minutes and then at three o’clock outside we’ll have a Frank Sinatra tribute artist performing. And then at three thirty until five thirty p.m. outside we’ll have a combination of many artists performing country, rock n roll, jazz and blues. Then from five thirty until six p.m., the famous Nokes brothers bluegrass band will be performing. All of this will be outside during the car show.”
“During the afternoon, fun things will be available outside for children of all ages, including inflatables, slides, jumps, a train, etc.”
“Inside in the 303 building starting at two thirty p.m. we’ll have a youth dance group performing. From three until four p.m., there’ll be a variety of music including country, jazz, blues, etc. At four o’clock inside, the Nokes brothers will be featured and then from four thirty until six o’clock inside Garth Brooks and Frank Sinatra tribute artists will be performing. Around six o‘clock we’ll bring the festivities to a momentary halt and recognize the Habitat volunteers who have been working on the home. We will be ceremonially passing the key to the new homeowner and recognize the top car owners in the classic car show. Then at seven o’clock, we’ll be inside the 303 building for the opening of a 1950’s sock hop. A group called “Debi and the Doo Wops” from Lebanon will be performing for thirty minutes from seven until seven thirty p.m. Then at seven thirty we’ll have two professional dancers who will demonstrate the real way you’re supposed to do the bop and other dances of the 1950’s and 60’s. We’ll be having dance contests, hula hoop contests, an old fashion pie supper and cake walk, a LIVE auction, etc.”
Entertainment schedule:
Outside Stage:
2:00 – Opening Ceremony
2:10 – DeKalb County High School Band (the only performance at this time)
2:30 – Garth Brooks tribute
3:00 – Frank Sinatra tribute
3:30 until 5:30 – A variety of artists performing Country, Rock, Jazz and Blues
5:30 until 6:00 – Nokes Brothers (Bluegrass Band)
NOTE: Inflatable toys and games for children in downtown during the entire afternoon.
Inside Stage — 303 Building:
2:30 – Youth Dance Group
3:00 until 4:00 – A variety of artists performing Country, Jazz and Blues
4:00 – Nokes Brothers (Bluegrass Band)
4:30 until 6:00 p.m. – Garth Brooks tribute and Frank Sinatra tribute artist
6:00 until 6:30 – Closing ceremonies on the outside stage with recognition of Habitat Volunteers, presenting keys to the home owner and honoring the top Classic Car owners.
7:00 until 7:30 – Sock Hop begins in the 303 Building with Debi & the Doo-Wops performing
7:30 until 9:00 – dance contests, hula hoop competition, cake walks, live auction, concessions and more.
(Photo — Left to Right – standing in front of the newest Habitat home on Hayes Street in Smithville:
Billy Joe Cripps, antique car owner
Wanda Wallace, Suzanne Williams, Ken Robinson, Ralph Vaughn and Sharon Evans, committee members for Happy Days Celebration. Not pictured: Phillip (Fluty) Cantrell
Dwain Young, antique car owner)
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