Morgan Hall
The Ashland Beacon
A little nugget of history: Greenup County was laid between 1803 to 1804 by a pioneer named Robert Johnson. Did you know the original land that was settled was coined Greenupsburg? The name was later shortened in March of 1872 to what we now know as Greenup. There is so much to know about Greenup County, and a great place to start learning is at Old Fashion Days.
Since 1965, Greenup Old Fashion Days has been an annual tradition. For three consecutive days, downtown Greenup is blocked off and the fun begins!
The Beacon spoke with Anne Stephens to gain some insights about Greenup Old Fashion Days, "I am the co-chair of OFD along with Bambi Reed. We both worked with Mattie Coldiron who passed away last year and is very much missed by everyone in Greenup. Bambi and I work to keep Mattie’s vision of Old Fashion Days going and are proud of our entire group of volunteers who make it happen each year! This is the second event that Bambi and I have led together."
Stephens elaborated on her favorite part of the event, "My favorite part of OFD is seeing happy families fill up downtown Greenup with laughter and enjoyment for our hometown. People need opportunities to connect with each other, share stories, and have a good time. It seems simple, but it is actually a powerful way to build community. Greenup is a wonderful place to be!"
The food vendors set up, offering delicious menu items and local bands provide live music in the evenings. Throughout these three upcoming days, you can expect several family friendly events, like a talent contest, beauty pageant, costume contest and more.
Every year during Old Fashion Days, it's tradition to honor members of the community that have passed on. It's important to show reverence and appreciation for these folks from their community. According to Stephens, Holly Lumpkins will be remembered this year. "Holly was a happy, friendly, special person who enjoyed her life although it was filled with difficulty from a traumatic brain injury. We miss her smiling face in downtown Greenup," said Stephens.
This Greenup Old Fashion Days Grand Marshals will be Ann Townsend and Freida Harmon. "They are best of friends and well known in Greenup. They can be seen driving their shared golf cart all over town together and we can’t wait to see them lead the OFD parade on Saturday at 4 p.m. We expect this year’s parade to be lots of fun with some special surprise guests," commented Stephens. Clear a path, the parade will roll down the street and include: tractors, floats, Greenup County High School Marching Band, schools groups and clubs, golf carts, contest winners, and emergency vehicles.
The OFD children’s pageant has grown over the past couple of years. It is not a formal pageant, dress clothes are appropriate, with age groups up to 8 years old. You can register Thursday at 6 p.m. - the registration fee is $20. Contact Kristen at 606.571.5514 for more information.
And there is nothing like the vendors at OFD. Non-food vendors will include: Amanda Plummer with Scentsy; Amy Cherry: custom designs/shirts; Armstrong Cable; Bounce Brothers: Inflatables K; Colonel Charles and Dahmon Whitt; books/hats/flags/Civil War items; El Hasa Shrine Clown Unit Train . benefits Shriners Hospital for Children; Erwin Cross Knives; Fat Cat Publishing; Greenup County Farmers Market Artisans; Greenup County Health Department; Greenup County Republican Party; Helping Hands of Greenup County: thrift store, raffle, auction, bake sale; Jackie Children with Paparazzi Jewelry; Kings Daughters Medical Center; Kortney Skinner: handcrafted items and hand sewn clothing; Kountry Kraft Barn primitive/wood/wreaths; Kristi Booth with Color Street nail strips; Krystle Daniels with Farmasi Cosmetics; Linda Mullins and Michael Mullins woodcrafts, primitive, folk art; Lisa Frasure with Paparazzi Jewelry; McGinnis Leslie with Stephen McGinnis; Megan and Brett Ritchie with T-shirts; Mike Wilson; Ohio River Oaks/The Guardian Insurance Group; Hon. Paul Craft, District Court Judge; Raceland Ram- Bow Archery demonstrations across from library; Ricky Higgins with stainless steel name rings; Sam & Karen Griffith with Color Street nails/custom pens/rope bowls/sewn items; Tech Wizard Computers; The Nostalgia Mall with home décor, candles, macramé, aroma beads, wax melts; Tristate Woodcarvers Club.
If you come hungry, you will find food vendors galore available. Food vendors are located on Main Street and include: A & N Kettle Corn; Benny’s; C-N-C—deep fried everything; Doghouse Pizzeria; Fannie’s Concession; Harmon’s Concessions; Helping Hands bake sale; Lions Club Hamburgers; Poppy’s Pizza; Raceland High School Archery with snow cones and hot chocolate; Skeeter’s Steaks & BBQ; Summer Vibes: Acai Bowls and Cold Brew Coffee.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, live music will be played on the main stage. There will be a singer/songwriter stage located at the end of Artisan Alley and the lineup on Saturday night will feature: Marty Helms, Luke Turvey, Jaycee Turley, Austin Adkins and Patrick McKnight. The main stage lineup can't be beat, Thursday's Gospel night will include music from Christ Temple Church, Marlene Vanhoose and Bended Knee. Friday's musical line up consists of: Axis, Jason May's Band and Holly Forbes. Saturday evening music wraps up following the parade with Loud Division, Sam L. Smith and Kyle Fields. They're closing out the night with a Talent Show hosted by Sam and Kyle together.
There will be a Window Decorating Contest leading up to Old Fashion Days. Judging for the annual Old Fashion Days Window Decorating contest, will be on Wednesday, September 28. Participating businesses are asked to decorate their storefronts, or the doors of their businesses, using an Old Fashion Days theme.
According to the Greenup Old Fashion Days website, "Old Fashion Days is put on entirely through sponsorships, and donations; without the support of our sponsors we could not put on Old Fashion Days each year. Sponsors are rewarded with announcements, banner ads, and a mention on the website." Greenup Old Fashion Days couldn't happen without the sponsors and volunteers to make it happen, Additionally, the their website wanted to give thanks, "We would like to thank every sponsor, every business, and every volunteer who helps put on Old Fashion Days each year. Your help is paramount to the success of Old Fashion Days, and from the bottom of our hearts we thank you."
Greenup Old Fashioned Days would like to acknowledge: Mayor Lundie Meadows & City of Greenup Judge Exec. Bobby Carpenter & Greenup County Fiscal Court • Joey Coldiron • Tate Preston • Kenny Imel • Tom Clay •Tech Wizard Computers • Greenup County Public Library • UK / Greenup County Extension Service / Greenup Arts • WLGC 105.7 FM • WPAY 98.3 FM • Greenup County EMS • Greenup County News-Times • Greenup County Tourism • Greenup Giovanni’s • Imel’s Greenhouse • Greenup County High School ROTC • Greenup Beacon Media Group • Jim Archey, Lion’s Club Car Show • Charles Douglas, Attorney. All Sponsors: City of Greenup; Greenup Beautification Committee; Greenup County Fiscal Court; Greenup County Library; Greenup Health Department; Greenup Lions Club; Greenup Masonic Lodge; Greenup Old Fashion Days Committee
A big turnout is anticipated. " It looks like we will have beautiful fall weather and people are feeling more comfortable getting out and about. The streets will be packed full of vendors and we have a line up of musicians on the main stage that will bring great music. Both headliners, Holly Forbes on Friday night and Kyle Fields on Saturday night, are both nationally successful performers who both have Greenup roots. We are very proud of them and excited to welcome them home! I think OFD 2022 will be one of the best yet!" exclaimed Stephens.
In conclusion, remember the old times and the good times. Bring your family and friends down to Greenup Old Fashion Days and celebrate with the community, they will have plenty to keep you busy.