Charger News

Cookeville square filled with music, art, and food, food, food

Leigh Ivey, Editor-in-Chief

Where do great food, talented music acts, art, and athletic competitions come together? At the Fall Fun Fest, of course. Cookeville’s seventh annual Fall Fun Fest was held in the square on Sept. 6 and 7. The weekend was filled with great music, food, art, and games.

This year’s event was sponsored by Bi-Lo, Coca-Cola, Premier Diagnostic Imaging, Travel Development, Miller Lite, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Legge Insurance Agency, Hub TV, WPTN Oldies, Country Giant, WHUB, Union Planters, and Re/Max Preferred Group.

The Fun Fest kicked off with the arrival of the Screaming Eagles from the 101st Airborn. The mission of these “parachute jumpers” is to strengthen community relations through live arial demonstrations.

Music this year varied from jazz to blues to rock. Featuring bands including CHS’s Battle of the Bands winner Barefoot Sensation and Cookeville’s own Jeff Crouch and Robbing Reality, the stage was full of musical talent throughout the weekend.

Two of Cookeville High School’s service clubs worked at the Fun Fest this year. The Interact club once again joined the Clean Commission to keep the square litter free.

The Beta Club members worked to supervise several of the inflatable games set up for the children.

One of the most popular shows at the Stations of Imagination’s children’s stage was called “Meet Mr. Lincoln,” a one man act by Dennis Boggs dressed as Abraham Lincoln telling stories about Lincoln’s life.

The first thing that comes to mind when most hear that the Fun Fest is back is great food. This year was the thirteenth annual Cookeville Cook-Off, a serious competition between cooking teams who strive for prizes in the Tennessee State Championship in order to compete in the Kansas City Barbecue Society. On this year’s menu were barbecue, pork, chicken, roasted corn, fried vegetables, and many scrumptious desserts.

Arts and crafts included glass work, clay, natural soaps, jewelry, and woodwork.

Demonstrations and hands-on activities were also popular.

For those desiring more active events than wandering around the square listening to music and eating all the wonderful food, the Fun Fest held a 5k and 10k run on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Tennessee Tech’s ROTC Department helped organize the races. Athletes also competed in the second annual Ride for Habitat, consisting of several different routes ranging from 10k to to 100k.

The 2002 Fall Fun Fest was once again an enormous success. All who attended had a great time and are already looking forward to next year’s event.

Article prepared for web by Joy Wheeler