After thousands of visitors attended Old Timers Festival last year, the 2012 organizers are again expecting big crowds.  For the second year, it will be a three-day event.  Scheduled September 14-16 at Veterans Memorial Park, the festival will feature a carnival, festival food, artisans, and free entertainment throughout the weekend.

The theme for the 2012 event is “Remember When” to honor the business leaders who organized a rural community so that public safety and basic infrastructure services would be available to all residents. These community leaders built parks, a new library, and organized the first Old Timers event to celebrate and honor the lives of our earliest settlers.

Neal Martin accepted the invitation to serve as grand marshal of the Old Timers’ Day parade in memory of his wife Nell Martin. The Martins played a key role in starting the first Old Timers’ Day celebration in the early 1970s for the city.  Additionally, Mrs. Martin helped build the book collection for the La Vergne Public Library.  She worked many years as secretary at Roy Waldron Elementary School before her death in 2011.  The parade is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 15. 

“I have known Neal for the last 25 years and have long admired the generosity he and his wife have shown to La Vergne,” said MayorSenna Mosley.  “The time commitment and love they gave to our town over several decades to bring parks and build the library has been phenomenal.  They are true role-models for the next generation of community volunteers and if we can dream the same way they did, La Vergne can continue to grow and prosper as a family-friendly town.”

Applications are now being accepted for hand-made craft exhibitors, food vendors, informational displays, and civic organizations.  Craft artisans will be juried, selected based on product quality and bringing variety to the festival.  Local etsy.com crafters, as well as craft-artists who exhibit throughout the area are encouraged to apply.  Additionally food vendors may now submit their applications to be a part of the food court. All food vendors must have a current State of Tennessee Health Certificate in their possession for the duration of the Festival to participate.

Application information for food vendors, crafters, civic groups, and sponsors is now available online at www.oldtimersfestival.com and on the city web page at www.lavergnetn.gov.