Brown County Street Fair

“Buzz” KingBy “BUZZ” KING, guest columnist
Good times here are not forgotten, and among them was the Brown County street fair and the fall carnival.
The street fair in Nashville is as old as — well, nobody alive remembers not having a street fair, and I would guess that nobody alive knew anybody who remembered not having a street fair. But alas, we have not a street fair now and have not for a while.
We do have the Brown County 4-H fair at the fairgrounds east of Greasy Creek Road — well suited for what we need, more room, more attractions and more fun. But back to the street fair.
Tents covered Main Street from Van Buren to just east of Johnson, and Jefferson Street from north of Franklin to a half-block south of Gould. The remaining street space was used for some rides and games of skill or luck. Tractors and livestock were under cover, along with exhibits and offers of service, etc.
Great community spirit oozed from all, and I still remember the thrill of it all, and by Sunday morning, the only thing left was the trash and drink stains. The smell of canvas was gone for another year.
But there was still a good time on the way in the form of the school carnival held behind the high school on Van Buren. The carnival was just that, rides and games, weekday evenings and Saturday ‘til late. The alley which is now Old School Way was open during the day and covered with activity each evening.
When I was 10, I walked up to the carnival during the off hours. The ferris wheel operator was there and I ask for a ride. “Sure,” he said, and I rose to the top. It stopped and two more people got on. Now, even at 10, I knew that it was best to balance the load, which is what just happened. Nice long ride and the big wheel stopped and the two got off. The operator did not restart the ride!
I was enjoying the view when suddenly, I noticed no one around — no operator, no people anywhere, as the noon siren rang out.
This day, that hour lunch seemed to take forever. I knew I was in no danger, but I didn’t want to sit alone for that hour. No one seemed to see or hear me.
When the operator returned and heard me yell, things happened fast. He was so sorry and took me to the Ideal Ride trailer where they gave me a full book of tickets (250). Friends came out of the woodwork the rest of the day.
When I was 17, I took Cheryl to the carnival on Saturday night and won seven stuffed animals (large). We both had a good time I think, but so did our friends. We shared our good fortune with Becky, Joy and two others, and Cheryl took three home.
I never did tell her that all week I had been practicing the one game all week and had already won 13 stuffed bears, etc. On Friday night, the security office banned me from that game. What a night, wow!
‘Til next time. — Buzz

BC Democrat