Friends of Old Settlers host event
The Friends of the Brown County Old Settlers Reunion will hold a daylong event of
celebration on Saturday, September 22, at the Brown County 4-H Fairgrounds. This will be a
day to pay tribute to Brown County heritage, according to organizers.
The first Old Settlers of Brown County was held 130 years ago on September 22. This will
mark the date of the 131st celebration of this event. There will be photos and displays
from past events. Any one with past photos that they would like to share can take them to
the Brown County Historical Society on 135 North (just outside of Nashville) on Tuesday
September 18th from 9 am to Noon. They will be scanned while you wait or they can be
returned to you after scanning if you have errands to run that day.
Pete Sebert (also known as Jacob Brown) will begin the day at 10 a.m. with an opening
prayer, followed by the national anthem by Brown County resident Pauline Hoover.
A dedication ceremony honoring several people who have contributed to many past Old
Settlers will follow along with some history of the Old Settlers.
The Children's Art Contest will begin at 10 a.m. and children will have until 1 p.m.
to create their entry. Entries will then be on display until 6 p.m. The public is asked to
vote on their entry at a penny a vote. The top three entries with the most money will be
awarded a cash prize. The remaining vote money will be donated to the Brown County
Historical Society' building fund for the new Brown County History Center.
Children's competition games, such as The Diaper Derby, Toddler Trot, sawdust
scramble, balloon blowing and others, will begin at 1 p.m. Many other games for children
and adults will be available all day.
At noon, organizers will present the Pioneer program with several different categories,
including Oldest Woman who has not been a previous winner and the Oldest Man who has not
been a previous winner. Bob Bond will be emcee for these presentations.
A cakewalk will be held at 1 p.m. for any and all who wish to participate and a cupcake
walk will be held for the "wee little ones".
Mike Robertson from Mike's Dance Barn will be on stage beginning at 2 p.m. with his
band Smooth Country. Also performing at approximately this time will be The A.M. Cloggers
from Morgan County.
A hymn sing will be presented by Bean Blossom Baptist Church at 4 p.m. Rick Gillis and his
band Dixie Drive will perform at 5 p.m.
Brown County native Jim Fox, whose Brown County ancestry goes back to the 1830s will be
the auctioneer at 6 p.m. Organizers are still looking for items for this so bring your
donations.
At 8 p.m., the event will again have entertainment on the stage with brothers Wayne and
Joe Leggins of Indianapolis whose third-great-grandfather Henry Legan purchased property
in Brown County in the 1840s.
Tickets for a 50/50 raffle and a quilt raffle will be sold all day and the winners of
these will be announced following the auction along with the winners of the Children's
Art Contest.
Jim Kelp and his brother Dallas will cook up a BIG pot of beans which may add to the
musical enjoyment of the day. Cornbread is being donated by several persons. (We are still
in need of persons willing to donate cakes and cup cakes for the cake walk and cornbread
for the bean dinner.)
Central Committee of the Democratic Party will have a food booth with a variety of food
and drinks (non-alcoholic).
More entertainment ideas are still in the planning stages such as a Hog-Calling Contest
for men and a Husband-Calling Contest for women, roving musicians who will perform
periodically throughout the day and much more.
Anyone wishing to participate, donate a few hours to help run children's games or who
would like to have a booth may call Bev or Jim Kelp at 988-4027 or Edna Derringer at
988-6498.