Published: September 26, 2009 09:15 pm      

Princeton’s 2009 AutumnFest a soggy one

PRINCETON — A steady rain on Saturday morning didn’t stop organizers of the fourth Annual AutumnFest from getting off to a soggy start, but by mid-afternoon, the committee had to pull the plug on this year’s festival.

“There was just too much water,” Tammie Toler, AutumnFest chairperson said. “We tried to keep the main stage operating as long as we could, but the sound technicians were concerned about the safety of the performers, so we decided to call it a day.”

Princeton Mayor Dewey Russell didn’t try to conceal his disappointment. “We had 60 vendors lined up today, and several of them showed up even though it was raining this morning,” Russell said. “You can’t blame the ones who didn’t come out, but I’m just disappointed for everyone who worked so hard.”

In spite of the rain, the four-part gospel harmony of Christ Incorporated echoed through Mercer Street. The seats in front of the main stage were filled with raindrops, but a good number of people gathered beneath the awning of First Community Bank to enjoy the music.

“I really enjoy Princeton,” Bertha McPherson said. McPherson, 98, moved to Princeton in 1926. She was selected “Centennial Princess,” during the AutumnFest, and presided over the festivities with King Jake Hatcher. Other members of the AutumnFest Centennial Court included: Queen Bernice Johnson, 100; Prince Leonard Rucker, 92, and court attendants, Ruth Amburgey, 100; and Beulah Ann Bailey, 97.

McPherson married her husband, Jessie McPherson, in 1940, and after having two daughters of her own, she raised 26 foster children from 1953-1961. “I’ve been going to church about every Sunday as long as my health has held out,” McPherson said. “I don’t think I’d trade Princeton for anything or anywhere else. I’m going to be buried in Princeton.” She was humbled by the honor. “I wasn’t expecting this. This is the first time I’ve ever been a queen.”

Hatcher said he considered it an honor to be selected as AutumnFest Centennial king. “I like the friendly people here in Princeton,” he said. Hatcher, 98, is a native of Princeton who served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and served in both World War II, and in the Korean War.

“Princeton is just an all-around wonderful place,” Hatcher said. “I’ve traveled all around the world and I like Princeton best of all.”

While many people attended AutumnFest beneath umbrellas, Robert Farley, president and chief executive officer of the Princeton/Mercer County Chamber of Commerce was walking from event to event wearing a broad-brimmed hat.

“I’m just dealing with it,” Farley said with a smile.

State Delegate Mike Porter, R-Mercer, braved the early morning rains, but as the rains picked up, he sought out a little shelter beneath a vendor’s tent. “I wouldn’t want my roasting ear of corn to get wet before I get a chance to taste it,” Porter said.

While some vendors decided against setting up, Julie Lockhart, owner of “Locked Hearts,” a wedding planner service in Princeton, had a steady stream of visitors. “I’ve been busy since I started my business five months ago,” she said. “It’s been exciting. There’s a real need for this kind of service in the area.”

Even with the rain coming down, Matt Dillow of Montcalm was eager to open show off the turbocharged, 180 horsepower engine in his 1966 Corvair Corsa. “Chevy made a lot of Corvair Spiders, but the Corvair Corsa’s are pretty rare,” he aid. Dillow recently bought his Corvair from someone in Minnesota. “There’s not a rattle in it when you take it out on the road,” he said.

Stan Wikle put his best foot forward coordinating the music on the main stage, but his foot got wet. Wikle announced the top three winners of the scarecrow contest with First Century Bank earning first place honors with $300.22 in penny votes; First Community Bank placing second with $266 in penny votes and Hardee’s placing third with $257 in penny votes. The contest brought in more than $1,880 for the Salvation Army.

“Even with the rain, we had a lot of people competing in the pumpkin pie eating contest,” Toler said. “It was fun watching them enjoy themselves in that contest.”

– Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com