Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008

25 REASONS TO LOVE SUMMERFEST

By Shannon Greene

Enquirer Herald

I'm proud to count myself among the 50,000 or so Summerfest guests who flocked to downtown York Saturday for the annual summer send-off. York sure knows how to throw a party.

I can honestly say it's a day I'll never forget.

To celebrate Summerfest's 25th anniversary, I compiled the following list of 25 things I did during the festival:

1) I ran in the Summerfest 5K.

2) I got my blood sugar tested at Piedmont Medical Center's "Healthy Hometown." Both of my grandmothers and my dad have diabetes, so I don't take being healthy lightly. But fortunately, even after gulping about a gallon of Gatorade after the 5K, my blood sugar was only 110. "That's excellent," said the nurse. I wasn't too thrilled about getting my finger pricked, though.

3) I chatted with Beth Covington over by the United Way booth. Covington, who is vice president of the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce, has never missed a Summerfest. "I've gone every year since I was a kid," she said. "It signals an end of summer -- one last hooray. I love Summerfest."

4) After the 5K, I needed some carbs so I headed over to grab some kettle-cooked popcorn. I also got a Mountain Dew from the Boy Scouts at the booth next door. And just like that, I completely gained back any calories and fat grams lost during the race.

5) I marveled at the entrepreneurialship of little Lucas DePasquale, an 8-year-old from Denver, N.C., who set up Luke's Lemonade stand among the dozens of vendors along Congress Street. "He'll be running a major corporation by the time he's 21," quipped customer Allison Tobin of Charlotte.

6) I saw Rock Hill Mayor Doug Echols enjoying the festivities. He was carrying a bag from The Men's Shop.

7) I pet a cow named John at the 4H Petting Zoo.

8) I stocked up on free pens. Hey, don't laugh. As a writer, I'm always running out of ink so I took advantage of all the promotional material vendors were giving out. Next time you see me taking notes with a "Metrolina Insurance" or "Every Vote Matters" pen, you'll know where I got it.

9) I grabbed some chicken on a stick from one of the vendors on Roosevelt Street and headed over to Whitesides parking lot to hear the Highway 61 Blues Band, featuring the impressive guitar skills of 13-year-old Jake Haldenwang. That kid can rock. As they played, "Secret Agent Man," I wondered if I'll ever be half as good as Jake. I took up guitar about two weeks ago and have proudly worked my way up to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

10) Over at the Rotary Club's dunking booth, I tried to dunk York City Councilman Mark Boley. They even gave me an extra couple of balls, but I apparently have no aim. The little girl after me dunked him on her first try. "Beginner's luck," I thought.

11) I got an orange New Testament from the Gideons. It also has the Psalms and Proverbs in it. I probably should have been quoting Psalm 23 on my 5K, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."

12) I stopped by the Enquirer-Herald and Herald booth for a quick rest and to see how my fellow 5K runners Mary Pettus and Amy Garvey were holding up. Remarkably well, they said. The kiosk crew was staying busy selling subscriptions. And now for a shameless plug: If you're not already a subscriber, now's the time to sign up. The Enquirer-Herald is just $7 a year, but the promotional rate ends Aug. 31.

13) I drooled over all the classic cars lining Congress and Liberty streets. There was even an old Volkswagen van -- my brother and I always called them "peanut vans" -- that looked like it was stuck in the 60s. Well, except for the GPS system in the dash. Of the 215 cars in the show, Keith Hall's '57 Chevrolet street ride won best of show.

14) I saw Rep. Dennis Moss, Danny Stacy and other politicians out campaigning. Moss gave me a bag of peanuts and a yet another pen to add to my collection.

15) I bought Cajun spices from the Maine-based Bittersweet Herb Farm, one of the many Summerfest vendors. This will come in handy to make dip for football parties this fall. Go Panthers!

16) I registered for a $500 Best Buy gift certificate Mary Beth Shealy's Allen Tate team was giving out. I didn't win, but I sure was hoping to use that for a new MacBook I've been eyeing. Shealey also was giving away magnets with Clover and York high school football schedules. I grabbed both to put up at work.

17) I browsed all the goodies at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd's Antique Show. They had lots of little treasures, from glass bowls to framed arts. I picked up a little something for my sister for Christmas, but I won't say what in case she's reading.

18) I got hit in the head about a dozen times by all the balloons kids were holding as they walked down the street.

19) I went by to see the robotics competition, but the students at Floyd D. Johnson looked like they were having problem with their robot at the time. I never made it back to see the 'bots in action.

20) I got a hookup for my next Carnival cruise from travel agent Tammy Bailes. I'm ready for another island escape, and after browsing the cruise catalog I'll be calling Bailes sooner than later. I also got a Carnival pen just like the one in my cabin on my last cruise.

21) I saw the Fascinating Rhythm dancers shimmy and shake on the Main Street Stage. I loved their hot pink T-shirts and guitar props.

22) I checked out the note cards and photos of York's older attractions at the Yorkville Historical Society's booth. It reminded me of the White Rose City's charm and rich heritage, which is a major draw to Summerfest's appeal.

23) I bought an Incredible Edible Birdhouse from Barry and Sue Dovaston of Four Oaks, N.C. These handcrafted birdhouse are covered with a variety of seeds and natural decor. Once the birds finish eating the outside of the house, it reveals a cedar wren house to be used for nesting.

24) I split a barbecue sandwich from Miracle Temple's booth with Amy Garvey. I could have eaten the whole thing, though. It was exceptional. I tried to get chef Robert Edwards to reveal his secret vinegar-based sauce recipe, but he wouldn't budge. "It's an old family recipe," he said.

25) I got a Summerfest T-shirt, which I put on once I got home and crashed. I wore it most of the day Sunday, too, to remind me of what a wonderful day I'd had in downtown York. Then I realized all the stuff I didn't do -- the hot air balloon ride, fish fry, sporting events, art show, etc... -- and decided next year I may have to skip the 5K to squeeze in more festival fun. Thanks to all those who made my Summerfest experience so memorable. Can't wait 'til next year!