Doss Ferry May Days...Celebrating our Traditions for a Worthwhile Cause

Many years ago, May Days was celebrated in our area. Friendly fellowship, music, savory aromas, and good, old-fashioned fun brought the community together for a day of exciting festivities. In honoring the traditions of yester years, Doss Ferry, along with the community, reestablished May Days on May 2, 2009. In addition to the celebration, May Days also served as a platform to raise money for the local schools and other children's organizations. On location at Doss Ferry subdivision, people came from abroad to enjoy some wholesome entertainment that was supporting a great cause.

Volunteers and merchants began arriving at Doss Ferry around 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the event. Mortimer Jordan High played a significant role in May Days by providing student volunteers, Student Council members, National Honor Society members, and the high school's nationally awarded Chamber Choir. For college applications, participating students were given certificates documenting community service hours. Other organizations within the community such as the Kimberly Senior Center, Kimberly Police and Fire Department, local school administrators, and Mayor Pro Tem Brad Stark gave a much appreciated hand in making the event possible. Tracy Crane, owner of the local IGA Marketplace, donated all of the concession items and grilled the mouth-watering food. Sno Biz also took part and donated a portion of their proceeds, as well. Capstone Partners together with their suppliers and contractors raised enough money to cover all expenses of May Days. All proceeds collected on May Days were able to go directly to the charitable organizations.

Opening ceremonies kicked-off later that morning due to a weather delay, but participants waited it out as the day recovered. Boy Scout Troop #283 led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and Reverend Bill Ridgeway delivered the prayer. Mortimer Jordan Chamber Choir set the mood with their amazing a cappella renditions. The City of Kimberly awarded talented students with cash prizes for designing the city's new slogan and logo. The time-honored sound of The Rough Edges Band, a top bluegrass band out of Knoxville, Tennessee, resonated throughout the May Days festivities. Children were seen darting from one activity to another with arms covered in temporary tattoos, brightly painted designs on their faces, and blue-stained mouths from their last snow cone. With wide eyes glued on the clown, the children gathered together closely to see her perform amazing magic tricks. Known for their 7-time national championships and their dance crew that finished 4th on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, the Dynamic Edition Clogging Team brought a little bit of clogging, jazz, and hip-hop to the stage during the early afternoon.

Despite the downpour of the morning, Doss Ferry May Days 2009 pressed forward, receiving about 300 guests throughout the day. The event looked much different from the pig chasing and country cook-offs of the past, but the sounds of laughing children, delicious aromas, and good, clean fun were much the same! Thanks to the support of Capstone Partners and their suppliers/contractors, IGA Marketplace, donating merchants, and all of the hard-working volunteers, May Days was able to raise $2,202.71 for the local schools and other children's charities. In addition, a special donation of $250.00 will be given to the Kimberly Senior Center. Capstone Partners hopes the support will be there to continue the tradition of May Days in 2010. What a fantastic way to strengthen the sense of community while sharing in the support of a great cause.