Naylor Celebrates Heritage With All-Day Festival

Monday, October 7, 2024

What appeared to locals to be a record crowd celebrated with Naylor, as the town recognized its heritage Oct. 5. The annual Heritage Day event continued throughout the day, beginning with breakfast at the Senior Center, a flag raising, and a parade led by former mayor Jim Price and ending with a Sons of Confederate Veteran tribute. Sandwiched between the parade and a street dance later that night was a full day of activities which included live music, feasting, games, a tour of the Clutter Museum and, of course, lots of food. Heritage Day is also traditionally a time when families and former Naylor High School alumni reunite.

Crowds gather to watch the parade, which this year featured the theme, "Rooted in Tradition: Celebrating Stories of Hope and Determination." (By Debra Tune)
Former Mayor Jim Price, parade marshal, leads the procession. (By Debra Tune)
American Legion float (by Debra Tune)
Antique cars are always a parade crowd pleaser. (by Debra Tune)
The sirens of emergency vehicles could be heard across town, the signal that the parade was to begin. (by Debra Tune)
Naylor FFA float (by Debra Tune)
Girl Scouts float (By Debra Tune)
Floats of every description took part in the parade. (by Debra Tune)
Toys 4 Tots director Jerry Lynxwiler passed out stuffed animals to children along the parade route. (by Debra Tune)
One little girl gets a Toys 4 Tots lamb. (by Debra Tune)
The Naylor Library board did a great job of reflecting the parade theme. (by Debra Tune)
Another view of the Naylor Library float. (By Debra Tune)
An old antique truck was admired. (by Debra Tune)
Rats Nest parade auto entry. (By Debra Tune)
The oldest participant in the parade was likely this "skeleton" passenger, apparently a former Confederate soldier, which caused a chuckle to viewers. (by Debra Tune)
Tractors are a traditional parade entry in Naylor... (By Debra Tune)
...Riders, as well. (by Debra Tune)
Vendors offered fun and games, such as this "quarter" toss. (by Debra Tune)
This beauty was part of the annual car show, which featured about 20 entries. (by Debra Tune)
Clutter's Museum was open for the day for tours. Pictured are antique cash registers. (by Debra Tune)
A bedroom in Clutter's Museum shows a glimpse into pioneer days. (by Debra Tune)
This would have been typical of a sewing room during former days. (by Debra Tune)
Medical needs in Naylor were provided by Dr. H.E. White. His "room" features antique surgical equipment. (By Debra Tune)
There is also a room which pays tribute to John Clutter, the inventor.
One of the rooms is outfitted for a soldier's stay. (by Debra Tune)
Those who visited Clutter's Museum, signed in at the front desk. (by Debra Tune)
A long line waited at The Depot, where the feature of the day was apple nachos (drenched in caramel). (by Debra Tune)
There was live music throughout the day, including a bagpipe concert. (by Debra Tune)
Michael and Carolyn Gully of Center Hill Baptist Church provided information at their booth. (by Debra Tune)
Quilt raffles are an appropriate item during Heritage Days, and a nod to past quilting bees. (By Debra Tune)
Food was available in abundance, as were activities for the children. (by Debra Tune)
Antique cars lined the route from Broad Street down to Clutter's Museum. (By Debra Tune)
With Clutter's Museum in the background, wood crafters and basket weavers demonstrated their skills. (by Debra Tune)
The Naylor Fire Department sponsored a fireman's obstacle course for the kids. The speed course included a fireman's crawl, block and hammer and hose dragging challenges, and zig zag run, and ended with a the participant getting to turn on a high-powered water hose. (By Debra Tune)
After getting her face painted, one little girl gathers candy thrown out during the parade. (By Debra Tune)
Trevor Parson gets assistance from Justin Garrett as he completes his fireman's course challenges. (by Debra Tune)
The first youth to jump into the Reese Ainley foam party was Milo Turner. (by Debra Tune)
Bags full of candy were gathered by small children along the parade route. (by Debra Tune)
Ripley County Eastern District Commissioner Gary Emmons was fry cook for the Naylor Senior Center annual fish fry fundraiser. (By Debra Tune)
Ripley County Presiding Commissioner Jesse Roy gets fish ready for the fryer. (by Debra Tune)
He shoots, he scores. A little girl looks on and gets ready to claim the prize as a dart thrower hits his mark. (by Debra Tune)
Horse rides were available for $1. (by Debra Tune)
Several riders participated in the Heritage Day parade. (By Debra Tune)
Reenactors from the Sons of Confederate Veterans made for an appropriate finale to the parade. (by Debra Tune)
Front and Broad Streets were lined with spectators in lawn chairs, and many children. (by Debra Tune)
Pictured are a booth filled with antiques and an old-time lemonade stand. (by Debra Tune)
Heritage Day in Naylor provided much to spark the interest of the smallest viewers. (by Debra Tune)
Two little boys glean candy after the parade has passed. (by Debra Tune)
Following the parade a little girl gets a ride along the parade route to the kids' activity area. (By Debra Tune)
Hot temperatures on Heritage Day caused some to seek shelter under the awnings and trees. (By Debra Tune)
The main festival area was situated around the town gazebo. (By Debra Tune)
A vendor is pictured in period dress. (by Debra Tune)
Store fronts were decorated in keeping with the Heritage Days theme. (By Debra Tune)
A pumpkin grower offered fruit for pies and also fall harvest decorations. (by Debra Tune)
Reenactor Commander Dalton Bilderback takes care of the livestock. (by Debra Tune)
Reenactors set up a typical camp such as would be found during Civil War days. Pictured are Commander Dalton Bilderback and John Leic. (by Debra Tune)
Live music was provided throughout the day. Pictured from left are Bobby Lewis, Braidy and Shayne Talburt. (by Debra Tune)
Mid Luye takes a tour of the Clutter Museum. (by Debra Tune)
A brave bicyclist follows the horses along the parade route. (by Debra Tune)