As I walk into the CARE gallery very early Sunday morning to clean, the building is eerily calm and quiet. After the past few weeks of the hustle and bustle of T-shirt sales, vendor registrations and planning meetings, the stillness is serene. As I wipe down counters and empty trash cans, I think about the wonderful whirlwind that was the past 72 hours, and more importantly, all the smiles and hugs that I observed over the weekend.
From the smile on Anna Hodges’s face as we prayed for her dad, to the smile on Miss Wylee Sayle’s face as she passed out her candy bags to the children participating in our first pageant, to the smile on Katelyn Newton’s face as she tattooed children in the Kids Zone, we moved through our festival day.
Then there were the hugs. Classmates hugging after years of not seeing each other, family members sharing a hug under their tent, and neighbors giving a handshake and hug as they traveled through the maze of vendor booths.
I can selfishly say that I was also the recipient of many of those great hugs. From Danny Adams to Charles Clolinger to Mrs. Linda Nelson, all hugs were needed and appreciated during the day and into the evening.
However, one of my favorite hugs of the day was from Raymond Radcliff, our very deserving yet humble Hometown Hero. It is those simple moments that make our Gateway to the Delta Festival worth all of the time, energy and planning that goes into this community event.
As I have said in the past, there is never enough room in The Sun-Sentinel for me to thank everyone who made this festival possible.
Thank you to our vendors, kids zone workers, reunion groups, bands and stage crew.
Thank you to our CARE Board, Gateway Planning Committee and the Ed & Becky Meek Foundation Scholars.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, because without your support, we could not hold this event. Thank you to Mrs. Linda and the ladies who kept the VIP room humming, and to every volunteer who worked Saturday and gave of their time. Again, because of your hard work and dedication, our Gateway Festival is possible.
And now ... on to our numerous events leading in the holiday season! Information regarding Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas activities is coming soon. See you at CARE in 2022!
