Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

The board members of the Trenton Community Development Association thank the many people who helped make the Ridge Peach Festival possible this year.  We are in the process of updating our sponsor list on our webpage, so please check that out soon at www.ridgepeachfestival.com.  Also, last week, an article mentioned the sponsors, and some have been added.  Pioneer Rental helped us install a tent over the stage, and we welcome Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. as a sponsor.

Thank you to our corporate sponsor, Titan Farms (Chalmers and Lori Anne Carr), for providing their peaches for the festival.  There was always a crowd around the peaches, and people came from near and far to buy them!  Another “thank you” goes to Pendarvis Chevrolet, Tidwell Jewelers, and First Citizens Bank.  They were responsible for bringing WJBF Channel 6 News to us for their live broadcast, “Your Hometown Trenton.”  That was an enjoyable time for everyone.

There are so many things to remember about the festival…the vendors setting up, meeting their neighbors, and “Praise in the Park” Friday evening, with wonderful gospel music.  John Olsen arranged an entertainment lineup that was excellent for Friday and Saturday.  Security was important, and Trenton’s Police Chief, Deke Tanks, and Edgefield County law enforcement officers were present and helpful as people filled the park.  The highlight of the festival was the parade.  The Post office employees, past and present, were the Grand Marshal.  There’s always a patriotic “Americana” feeling when the Fort Gordon Signal Band comes to town, and the Boy Scouts, also.  There were so many cars, classic cars, and antique cars in the parade. It’s always a pleasure to see the dignitaries in the parade as we welcome them to Trenton.  The sweetest memories for me were the faces of the many children as people threw candy from the cars.  All they wanted was a piece of candy, a wave, and a smile.  Yes, it was HOT, but it seems we all weathered the heat, especially the children who splashed around in the pool.  And everywhere, there was a child holding a blow-up animal toy purchased from the kids’ vendors.  The food vendors provided their delicious food, as always.  People were carrying bags with their unique arts and crafts purchases.

Thank you, Trenton, Edgefield, Johnston citizens, and all our visitors, for your presence at the festival, and for the many people from all over our Ridge community who helped in some way.  As 4:00 came on Saturday afternoon, it was time to say goodbye to new friends, new relationships, and old friends…until next year when we meet again at the 45^th Ridge Peach Festival.  As we rode through the park on Sunday afternoon, there was no sign that thousands of visitors had been there.  Everything was all cleaned up.  Thank you, once again, to Deke Tanks and his crew.  You are the best!

Please contact the Trenton Community Development Association, P. O. Box 158, Trenton, S.C. 29847, with any comments or ideas for next year. You may also e-mail sjeanbt@comcast.net  Thank you.  We would like to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Trenton Community Development Association Board Members:  Mike Lipscomb, Carroll Clark, Keller Harmon, Dana Carpenter, Billy and Beth Powell, Warren and Helen Hamilton, John and Sandra Moore