09/07/2026
*Long Post.* Last week as a long week for me. I was at the fair grounds five out of seven days. I wanted to let our community know that almost everyday I was there. Robert Samuels and or one member or more of his family was out there with me in the heat. Selling raffle tickets for the Henry and the fire department hog/freezer. The only two days Robert wasn't there he was at Fire Department training or work. He showed his commitment to our park growing and our community as a whole. He didn't find an excuse not show up. In the week we were there we moved alot of tickets.
While there I met some of Bohannon Fire Department great support from their members. They purchased tickets from us. Robert and I purchased tickets on their Pistol. Clifty Fire Department was there to. I think they might have had their whole board there. They I believe are raffling off a 12 gage maybe? And some kind of fancy lawn chairs. I bought a fair amount of tickets from them. I spent the same amount at each booth.
Bohannon was our neighbors at the fair. We has lots of time to visit. They were helpful as could be. As this was Japton's first year at the fair. Bohannon pointed out as departments we need to support each other. We are all small community departments. It was a good feeling knowing that all the departments compete basically for the same grants. The board members and fire fighters that showed up support each other is what makes a difference. I know for a fact Huntsville Fire Department members bought raffle tickets from me. Clifty and Bohannon both came and purchase one or both raffle tickets. The Huntsville Police Officers on duty showed up bought Henry tickets. Also found out some of our local Japton community soccer league are our from the local p.d. The players that come to the park are witnessing first hand our changes and growth. The support was amazing from the surrounding communities.
I want to mention one of fellow board members Jackie Holland 's son Rob and his wife Tracy. They went to the Saturday ATV rodeo and seen how hot it was out at the fair grounds. They showed up our first night at the fair with a large fan to keep us cool as possible. We used it all week it was a blessing. Not only did they keep the Japton booth cool. It was big enough to help keep Bohannon cooler to. Frankly not sure if I will be back at the fair next year. It was a hot long week for Robert and his family, Mike and me. It really depends if the Park is fundraising for anything that we would be selling tickets for. I can say I plan on attending future events at Bohannon and Clifty Fire Department's. We usually go to Clifty's fish fry if we can every year. In closing Thank You to everyone who dropped by bought tickets and visited with us. Every ticket at every event we have sold. Is one more step closer to more things being upgraded and added to the park.
