McFadyen's Window
on the World

Friday, June 30, 2006

The weekend's almost here

SATURDAY
God and Country Celebration in East Bend, Saturday before July 4th (Yadkin County)

Event/Site: God and Country Celebration in East Bend

Date: Saturday before July 4th, 9:30am—evening fireworks;
Parade begins at 9:30am; Music, noon—6:00pm with some gospel later in evening; Fireworks begin at 9:00pm.

Type: Day-long town festival with a patriotic theme featuring regional crafts, music, and food, children’s activities, parade, speeches, and fireworks. Lawn chairs recommended.

Location: East Bend Elementary School (205 School St,, East Bend, 27018).

Take NC 67 (Reynolda Road) out of Winston-Salem and cross over the Yadkin River. Continue about 4-5 miles. The road will fork, with NC 67 on the right and Bypass 67 to the left. Take the bypass and travel approximately 3 miles to the school, which will be on the left.

Traveling south from Mount Airy on US 52, take exit 123 “King/Tobaccoville”. Take a right at the stoplight and go ¼ mile to Spainhour Mill Road. Go about 3 miles and turn left onto Donaha Road. Proceed 2 to 3 miles until you come to NC 67. Turn right onto NC 67 and cross over the Yadkin River. Continue about 4-5 miles. The road will fork, with NC 67 on the right and Bypass 67 to the left. Take the bypass and travel approximately 3 miles to the school, which will be on the left.
Click here for a map.

Cost: Free.

Parking: Free. Accessible for bus tours.

Special Needs Access: Restrooms have limited access for people in wheelchairs.

Signage: Sign at location and en route.

Sponsor: God and Country Committee

Contact:
Wanda Hall
P.O. Box 176
East Bend, NC 27018
(336) 699-8387
wanda110740@earthlink.net

Description of Event: The theme of “God and Country” weaves through the day’s festivities. Estimates put attendance at this popular event between 10,000 and 15,000 people. A patriotic parade begins at the town library on NC 67 about a mile from the school and features floats and bands, which compete for prizes. At noon, music begins on the music stage at the school and features local and regional bands performing bluegrass, old-time stringband, gospel, and rock & roll. Crafters from North Carolina and Virginia sell their handiwork, and a variety of food is also for sale. Some years have included a storyteller’s tent. Beginning at 6:00pm, there is a patriotic program featuring a special speaker each year who talks about “God and Country” — the speech is usually a sermon. There is also gospel singing and a special feature to the evening program honoring local veterans, which includes military music. Fireworks begin at 9:00pm.

History of Site/Event: Residents of East Bend started the celebration in 1990 to bring the community together for a day of patriotism, local culture, and fun. The celebration is actually a throw back to earlier days in East Bend. Around 1903, buggy maker J. G Huff organized a fiddler’s convention, which began with a parade, to celebrate our nation’s birthday. For many years, the East Bend Fire Department sponsored the parade, which included a horse show and fire queen contest.

Description of Site/Facility: The celebration takes place in a grassy area behind the East Bend Elementary School. Patches of shade underneath the lawn’s tall oak trees are popular spots at this event. East Bend is a small rural town that dates back to the later half of the 19th century. Some older structures remain, and the flavor of small town innocence and days- gone-by is still evident

Significance of Site/Event to the Community: The God and Country Celebration brings together all ages and draws from East Bend and Yadkin County, as well as neighboring counties. The Mayor’s Citizenship Award, given to the Yadkin County 8th grade student who has written the best essay on what it means to be an American, adds a special touch to the day’s festivities. The event helps build a sense of community in East Bend,
posted by RiverBend1 at 8:28 AM 2 comments

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Snap Shots of Home.

Man, I LOVE living out in the country. I haven't regretted a single minute since moving to East Bend. Just to be able to walk out on the deck in the morning to sit with a cup of coffee and listen to the Turkey's call or the hawks over head squalling, that's what living is to me. Oh and don't dare forget that fresh morning smell of the skunk's oder hanging heavily in the air. I can walk through the woods to sit by the creek or just sit outside in the quietness of it all with some good quality prayer time with God. Some times the noise from the Tractor Pull in town or the kids on the four wheelers breaks up the peaceful day but even that just seems to fit right into the country atmosphere. It's good to be home.

Home Sweet Home














Bam ~n~ Eddie Chillin' by the pool















Back Yard View
posted by RiverBend1 at 7:33 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Just One More Before I head Home For the Day

posted by RiverBend1 at 4:18 PM 1 comments

I finally found a bit of time to work on my photo's
I'll post some of them here as I get them completed.


Pumpkin Queen

We met this little girl at the
Autum leaves festival in Mt. Airy NC















One of my photo's from
Myrtle Beach
posted by RiverBend1 at 10:11 AM 0 comments

My first attempt at using a daily blog.
( +/- a few days here and there )

I'm just going to attempt to keep a blog going from day to day with what ever is on my mind for on any give day. I hope you like it and check back often.
posted by RiverBend1 at 8:20 AM 0 comments