Roller Coaster Yard Sale

2010 will mark the 25th Anniversary of the annual Roller Coaster Yard Sale. The sale began after Sarah Ann Bowers tried to gain improvements for the Cordell Hull Highway (Hwy. 63). (Near quote) It was such a shame and disgrace to allow the highway named for such an outstanding statesman as Cordell Hull to not be cared for properly. Ms. Sarah was quite a delightful lady and had a way of getting her goals accomplished. The powers that be told her that she would have to prove the highway was well traveled. She got to thinking and decided that one of the best ways to do that was to have a huge yard sale. Since the road was crooked and hilly, she decided to call it the Roller Coaster Fair. So, in 1986, they had their first “fair”. In 2001, over 140,000 visitors traveled to the sale. After only 10 years, the attendance surpassed that of the Kentucky Derby. In 2002, she spearheaded the effort to bring the sale southbound into Tennessee, sharing the success with her southern neighbors in Celina, Livingston and Byrdstown. The route has now expanded through Albany, KY and back westward to Glasgow through the many small towns and communities that dot Hwy. 90 – this extended the route all the way around Dale Hollow Lake. The committee that promotes the sale is made up of many volunteers working together across city, county, and state borders to benefit everyone involved. These volunteers work hard throughout the year to make the sale a success. They have a wonderful camaraderie within the group and the core unit seems to be a lot like family and appreciate the contributions of one another very much. In 2009, the sale was well attended by both vendors and buyers. Some of the items even included a wringer washer, covered wagon, taxidermy oddities such as a two headed squirrel and a duckrat (a merge of a duck and a muskrat), antique and used furniture, clothes, tools, glassware, books, chainsaw carvings, churns, crafts, jewelry, baked goods, the Celina Lions Club pancake breakfast, produce, and probably even the proverbial kitchen sink. It’s always amazing the items you can find. It’s also a great time to clean out your closets and make a little extra cash.

Neal Poindexter of Cumberland County, KY did a lot of radio shows and worked hard all year to get the word out about the sale. I believe he was pleased with the turn out in 2009 as was Ike Bonecutter of Celina, TN. Neal will be back on the air again in 2010 to share all that is coming up and Ike will be working to promote the sale in Clay County, TN, as will all the other wonderful volunteers in the other communities. Neighbors working for neighbors, it’s a heartwarming project.

Yellow Ribbon Trading Post in Marrowbone, Cumberland County, KY had a great time during the 2009 sale and is looking forward to the event in 2010. Lisa Richter and her husband, Scott, love the community they have come to call home. Lisa said there were many excellent deals on some great items this year. Don’t forget, you can stop by her store any time of year. You don’t have to wait for the Roller Coaster Yard Sale.

During this time, the committee also wants to showcase the many extraordinary places along the route, such as the many historic sites and trails, farmers markets, shops, and other points of interest. Each community involved is encouraged to take this opportunity to add special events to give our visitors a break from their bargain hunting trek. Festivals, car shows, musical events, doll shows and more have punctuated the event in recent years. Check the event website often to keep up with the most recent additions. The committee has the new brochure ready for release sometime in April each year and available for download from the website. Mark your calendars now and come on down and enjoy the Roller Coaster Yard Sale
(www.RollerCoasterFair.com). The sale is held the first weekend of October, but in 2010 the dates are Sept. 30, Oct. 1 & 2.

Quilt Trails Around Dale Hollow Lake

For generations, women (and sometimes men) have been creating beautiful works of art in the form of quilts. Many times, the patterns they chose served the purpose of telling a story. During the times of the Underground Railroad, they often served as signals to those traveling along the route. They have kept families warm during the depths of the chilly winters and served to tell stories about family members gone on, or special occasions, and just precious memories from days gone by. Today, more often than not in our hurried society, they are simply works of art that we collect for their beautiful patterns. In an effort to preserve the art and heritage of quilting and related arts and to honor all those from the past and present who have been and are involved in this art form, many areas are creating “Quilt Trails”. These quilt trails are often located on beautiful and historic barns throughout a given region. Sometimes they are being added to businesses, historic venues, and other locations. The patterns still have a story to tell and punctuate the landscape with their marvelous colors and designs. Cumberland County, Monroe County, and Clinton County, KY are in the process of developing their trails. Clay, Overton, and Pickett Counties in Tennessee are represented in the Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail (www.UpperCumberlandQuiltTrail.com) and the larger area encompassed by the Appalachian Quilt Trail (www.VacationAQT.com).

Recently, Barry and Shirley Weaver of Bear Trapp Country Store added “Turkey Tracks” to the side of their store. It was an amazing site watching the volunteers erect the 8’ x 8’ block. Everyone was so excited. Shirley loves quilts and quilting (and primitive crafts – she has loads in their store along with all the fishing and other items) and wanted to share her love with others. They decided on the “Turkey Tracks” block because of the local turkey population – it just seemed to fit right in. They are located just up the hill from Eagle Cove Resort with a lot of farm and woodland surrounding them. There is an abundance of wildlife all around. They invite everyone that comes by to stop in and visit while they are in the area.

At a recent Roller Coaster Yard Sale meeting at the Monroe County EDC office in Tompkinsville, KY, they were gearing up for a big sale of quilt blocks for the area and preparing for the annual Monroe County Watermelon Festival. The entire office was decorated with a multitude of gorgeous blocks. It is hoped that these blocks will be up and ready for everyone to view before next spring. This, too, is a work in progress, but the Monroe County EDC has more information available at their office on Magnolia St. in Tompkinsville. You can also visit them online at www.monroeky.com for the latest on the Quilt Block project (coming in the near future), and to learn more about the 2010 Watermelon Festival which is always the Saturday before Labor Day, and to learn more about this wonderful rural area.

Hog – Eye “Fest”

Something quite unique to the area occurred on June 11th & 13th, 2009. Overton County held their annual Hog-Eye Beauty Pageant, 5K Hog-Eye Run, and Hog-Eye “Fest” - which was combined this year with the annual Bluegrass Festival to make it a huge event. The beauty pageant and 5K Run were wonderful beginnings to an excellent celebration. The Hog-Eye “Fest” included Ice Cream Crank-Off and BBQ Cook-Off contests along with loads of great music on the stage and pickers around the courthouse lawn. Livingston Mayor Curtis Hayes tried his hand at the Ice Cream Crank Off with his team mate Julie Hayes winning 3rd Place and the Tasters’ Choice Awards for their Cookies & Cream Ice Cream. 1st Place in the Ice Cream Contest went to Carol & Claire Coleman for their Peach Ice Cream. 1st Place Winners in the BBQ Cook-Off were Rebecca Gore in the adult categories; Justin Rogers in the 4th – 8th Grade categories; James Ferrell in the 9th – 12th Grade categories. The Standing Stone Cruisers had a huge cruise-in and there were several vendors along with the many wonderful shops on the picturesque Livingston Town Square. The festival is held the second Saturday of June each year. The wonderful folks that put on these events would like to extend a warm welcome for you to come join in with the Hog-Eye Fest on June 12th or the Bluegrass Festival slated for July 17th. Call (931) 823-2218 for the latest information about the Hog-Eye Fest
or (931) 258-4185 about the Bluegrass Festival.

The Livingston Town Square is filled with unique shops. In a time when many town squares have experienced serious declines due to shoppers and shops leaving to fill strip malls or leaving the business all together; the Livingston Town Square is thriving with little antique and specialty shops, a flower shop, the Apple Dish restaurant (great food and great atmosphere), office buildings, new library, and post office circling the magnificent courthouse building and lawn. There is a sense of community among the merchants who work together for the good of one another. There is a regal beauty in the care they take for their town. Each season is welcomed with festive decorations. During the Christmas season, one is reminded of the beauty of the old Currier & Ives scenes with the festive garlands and beautiful decorations, not only on the courthouse lawn, but at the many buildings that comprise the Square. Be sure to take time during your stay to drop in and visit the Livingston Town Square and enjoy the ambiance of this precious small town. Visit www.overtonco.com or call (931) 823-6421 for additional information.

If you enjoy the car shows, be sure to catch the Standing Stone Cruisers the second Saturday of each month from April through October. They congregate on the Livingston Town Square showing off the classic rides. For those of you that enjoy firearms, be sure to visit Gunny’s Gun Shop just east of town at 521 E. Main St. You will find all sorts of items that are sure to be of interest. He also has classes throughout the year. Check the schedule online at www.GunnysGunShop.com.