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Pine Tree Festival: Then and Now
In the Garfield school's principal's office was a large picture of the Garfield float, with King and Queen under a large dome. I remember going to the covered areas behind the old Coke plant and working on the float. We had small squares of crepe paper to poke though chicken wire. There was a deadline and we always got it ready. One year Mrs. R.E. Tanner was in charge of the E.C.I. float. It was stunning with swags of real gold colored cloth she had sewn and Mr. Tanner had made the wooden fixtures to hold the swags. Often floats were just trailers with little pine saplings standing in the corners. The festival has always been more than just a parade. The build up to it each year involved school children all over the county. There was the annual slogan contest. It is amazing how many ways there are to rhyme Emanuel and pine tree. School let out and buses were available to take folks to Swainsboro. I rode the Garfield bus one year with the Garvin family. For lunch we went to a little store and had them cut bologna and cheese. We had a jar of mayonnaise and a loaf of bread. It was an exciting day and a rare trip to Swainsboro. There are many today who make two trips a day to Swainsboro from outlying areas just to shop at Wal-Mart. Politicians came to thank voters or to try to win voters. Speech making hardly every was a big draw. One year Bebe Durden and I won the speaking contest. I still cherish my trophy (I may have been the only one entered in the contest!). Only our families stood to listen to us and perhaps a very few loyal friends. In 1996 I attended the 50th celebration of the Pine Tree Festival. Some attendees had been every year since the festival's inception. Some of the old cars in the parade had been new in the early years of the festival. Leaders, Kings and Queens all rode in shiny convertibles. Politicians still looked for votes. Pine trees still decorated the town. Every year there is something new. The historical society in recent years drew together a booth of historical items from the county. This year we will see major changes. Dr. Black is the chair of a new organization presenting the festival. The major economic impact of forest products will be emphasized making this festival one of economic impact not just fun and celebration. Each of us has our own special memory of the Pine Tree Festival. Some band members will remember the sore feet from a long march. Each year someone has won the slogan contest and this may be your special memory. Perhaps you were the grand marshal or the driver of a float or the purveyor of food and drink. The festival has been an example of the community working together to celebrate the conifer. Make a new memory this year. Jack Atkinson is a guest columnist and a resident of Garfield.
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