Ina Gore, Committee Chairman for the Gospel Song Fest, performed with her own
Psalms 100 Group, Saturday afternoon.

 

Gospel Song Fest, 42, and
Trades Day, Features of Saturday
Afternoon at Fall Festival

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Hopkins County residents had a variety of venues to choose from, on Saturday afternoon, following the Fall Festival Parade, as the first day of Fall Festival unfolded. A Trades Day was conducted on the grounds of the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, where the flea market atmosphere was available for shopping and bargain hunting. In its second year of being a part of the festival, the numbers still haven't become a major force in the event, but organizers hope the event will continue to grow, as residents have the opportunity to shop and sell goods.

 

Vendors shared a variety of goods at the Trades Day, held on Saturday afternoon, beneath the
shades of the oaks, on the Civic Center Grounds.

 

Meanwhile, at 3:00 p.m., one of the oldest venues in Fall Festival, the Gospel Song Fest, began at 3:00 p.m, where Buddy and Ina Gore welcomed friends, neighbors, and fellow gospel singers to the annual event, and shared a few rememberances of when they were conducting the fest on the back of a "flatbed" trailer, in the "hot, boiling sun," when the first event was held.

 

"New Dawning" a gospel group with members from Pittsburg and Sulphur Springs, were one
of the performers at Saturday afternoon's Gospel Fest.

Charles Lacey lent his own talent on the violin, as he participated
in Saturday's Gospel Fest. He had his grandmother, longtime Civic
Center employee, Gail Snow, in the crowd.

 

 

Saturday's Gospel Fest was held in the comfort of the air-conditioned Civic Center Auditiorium and provided a great place to relax and enjoy a "spiritual awkening" as a variety of local gospel groups shared their music ministry with the crowd. The Gore's own "Psalms 100" provided a delightful show, as well as invited groups from Hopkins and surrounding counties.

 

The Psalms 100 Group from Sulphur Springs was just one of the featured performers, who have
followed the event throughout its part in the Hopkins County Fall Festival.

Caleb Frazier, the youngest member of Psalms 100, both played the drums and lent his voice
to some of the vocals.

Bill Frazier was featured on some of the Psalms 100 vocals.

 

The "Joint Heirs" was another Gospel duo that was featured at Saturdays Gospel Fest.

 

And, while the gospel music was being played in the auditiorium, a marathon 42 Tournament was being conducted in the exhibit hall of the Civic Center, by Joyce Davis and her committee. Nineteen teams entered this year's tournament, with many who have played year after year, as well as some new entries. Reilly Springs' own, Trey Hinton and Josh Boatman, managed to best the other competition to finally be named Champions, around 7:30 p.m., Saturday night. Second Place was awarded to Birthright's own Vera Mae Glossup and Glenne Martin, and Maggie Smithers and Doc Townsend took the third prize in this year's event.

 

Josh Boatman, far left, and Trey Hinton, right, were the eventual Champions in Saturday's
Fall Festival 42 Tournament.

 

There was plenty of time for visiting at Saturday's 42 Tournament, while players waited on others
to finish their games.

42 Players participated from all areas of Hopkins County, in this year's tournament.

 

Everyone was finished with their events in time to attend the Star Night performance in the Civic Center arena, where a variety of sound equipment had been installed and a large staging area dominated the arena floor.

 

 

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