Norman Fest entering 6th year

This will be the start of our sixth year with Norman Fest. I look back, and I am amazed at how the people have supported our festival from the sponsors to the vendors and all the people who have come here and visited. This could not happen if not for our Norman Fest committee. We all work well together.

A friend of mine helped me come up with the name. David Kellis of The Sand Band liked my idea of Norman Fest, and now it’s been called the Norman Gnat Fest and The Gnat Fest, but they all work for me.

Tonya Hogan, who is originally from Norman, gave me the date of the second Saturday in October. This date has worked well, and not saying we want to have a rain out, but let’s hope for another good year.

In the making of our festival, we had a local little girl who was diagnosed with leukemia. I knew then we had to put a personal touch to it, and so we revolved around her, letting people know the awareness of cancer. The whole county was involved with other fundraisers.

Taylor Stewart lost her battle a couple of years later. Mike Collins was honored after losing his life to a store robbery, and we had the longest-beard contest in his honor.

I would like to mention three people we lost this year who very much supported our small town and our festival: Myrtle Hogan, Brenda McCledo and Stub Craven. I look back and thank everyone who has been a part of this festival by being a sponsor, vendor or a spectator and also having the support of our counties and towns are around us.

I want to let everyone know that Norman Fest has more homemade craft vendors than most festivals, and they have told me how much they appreciate us being gentle on their billfolds. They tell me, “We want to sell, but networking and promoting our hobbies and self-employment is more important, and we are having a good time.”

If you want to see what our vendors make, come out and support them. Custom-made stuff is made more from the heart and soul, and that’s what we want here at the festival.

So from all of us here in Norman, past and present, we want you to get into a Norman Fest routine. It will be here Oct. 9 and 10, so mark it on your calendar. It’s a day to come and have fun and forget your problems for a few hours.

Kenneth Broadway is the mayor of Norman and head of the Norman Fest Committee.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Kenneth.jpg

Norman Mayor Kenneth Broadway, far right, has more than 40 vendors signed up so far for this year’s Norman Fest.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_5887-M.jpgNorman Mayor Kenneth Broadway, far right, has more than 40 vendors signed up so far for this year’s Norman Fest.

A giant Smokey Bear will be in attendance for the sixth year of Norman Fest in the small Richmond County town.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6007.jpgA giant Smokey Bear will be in attendance for the sixth year of Norman Fest in the small Richmond County town.

Helicopter rides, a staple of Norman Fest, will be provided once again this year by Reini Grauer and Charlotte Helicopters.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6049-M.jpgHelicopter rides, a staple of Norman Fest, will be provided once again this year by Reini Grauer and Charlotte Helicopters.

For the kids at this year’s Norman Fest, there will be face-painting, pony rides and bounce houses.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_5984.jpgFor the kids at this year’s Norman Fest, there will be face-painting, pony rides and bounce houses.

A classic car show lined the front of the field in front of Norman’s Town Hall during last year’s Norman Fest.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_10447634_10152320984131780_2095688125474392939_n.jpgA classic car show lined the front of the field in front of Norman’s Town Hall during last year’s Norman Fest.

In 2013, the town of Norman celebrated its 100th anniversary during Norman Fest. This year’s event will mark the fall festival’s sixth year.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_0923131247a_0001.jpgIn 2013, the town of Norman celebrated its 100th anniversary during Norman Fest. This year’s event will mark the fall festival’s sixth year.

Norman Mayor Kenneth Broadway said during the town’s last monthly meeting, the Norman Fest committee was in the process of building a stage for music groups.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_1381157_10200780796381505_272308343_n.jpgNorman Mayor Kenneth Broadway said during the town’s last monthly meeting, the Norman Fest committee was in the process of building a stage for music groups.