By Lilian Stone
Carter County Times
For more than 50 years Memory Days, hosted in Grayson, has been a time when friends and family from all over – no matter their differences – come together and celebrate with great food, drinks, fun, and laughter. A major highlight of the weekend, every year, is the parade.
Taking place on Saturday, May 25, the parade saw companies and organizations from all over the city gather together to show their gratitude and support for the people of Grayson. WSAZ TV, trucking organizations, cheer organizations, dance organizations, and many more people came together to walk the parade route. Big smiles, and fun, were shared with all those in attendance.
Children played on sidewalks, and people mingled with one another to enjoy the sunny day. Participating in this year’s grand parade were some familiar faces but not one’s you see on the streets as often as you do on your television.
Beetlejuice, a name that no one repeated three times, made an appearance taking pictures with people all over Main Street. Batman was also in attendance, giving love to all and showing awareness to the ones who deserve to be heard; like Mr. Jayden Mullins who had a loving smile to share with all who met him. The Batmobile displayed decals stating, “Hope For Everyone,” a sentiment that moved all.
People in attendance were also keeping up with the Memory Days theme, wearing 80’s shirts and fashions along with plenty of red, white, and blue cowboy hats. The crowd favorite El Hasa Shrine Club added delightful color to the event. Other participants included Empower Athletics, a competitive cheerleading team and gymnastics gym. Chris Pereyra and Emaley Pereyra, instructors at Empower Athletics, walked alongside their girls and team members as they tumbled and performed. Parents and friends of the organization also walked with the girls, holding their EA banner, including friend and former teammate of Empower, Bailey Craig.
Then, of course, there were the non-human participants; horses, small dogs, and big dogs enthralled the children and adult animal lovers in the crowd.
On Sunday the Kiwanis held their annual Jeep Show, with participants awarded trophies in various classes, followed by the Mike Phillips Memorial Bluegrass Show. Though rain delayed that show, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of fans, who hunkered down and waited out the rain in restaurants, coffee shops, and vehicles, until the clouds parted and the show could go on.
The crowd gave a warm welcome to all the artists. Not only were there people singing, but lots of dancing to the great music. One kind soul, who asked to remain unnamed, showed her love for the music by dancing with a hula hoop and showing her kindness to others with a sweet and unforgettable smile.
Another fan of the show was Price Harris, bassist and vocalist with bluegrass band Solid Ground, who came out to listen instead of perform. Harris said while they’ve played locations in Grayson before, this year he was glad to simply enjoy listening to his friends play, noting how good it was to be there.
“Solid Ground has been fortunate to meet some great and humbling people (in Grayson),” he said.
Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com
