DEWAYNE'S CORNER: 4th of July 1974 Memories

I have spent many Fourth of July working in Red Bud Park. When in Marlow J.C.'s I helped in the Kiddie Land rides. They were where the church is now. We had a Ferris wheel, a train and a car/tractor go-round. The car/tractor go-round was popular with the little Outlaws, always a line. As the hot sun beamed down the motor would get hot and three or four members would help push the cars/tractors around and around!

There was a concession stand in the rides area and the cotton candy was where I worked before the rides. Was a mess after working as there would be cotton candy all over, in your hair, up your arm, and on clothes. A wipe down, a short break, and on to the rides. Also sold drinks poured out of two litter bottles (before we went with dispenser).

When I was Co-Captain with John Hawn in 1974, the evening before the Fourth he had a heart attack, and all our work landed on my shoulders. Was a long day running from one area to another checking how things were going. Entertainment, rides, concession stands, and game booths were all busy.

Dawn Anita was performing on this Fourth of July with Cal Smith. Smith just had a number one hit, Country Bumpkins (Song of the Year 1974), but we had him on a contract.

After his performance that evening he was demanding more money. Sorry, we have a signed contract. He wanted funds from his co-program star Dawn Anita.

Never heard how it ended. He went to the High Chaparral and sang there the same night for their dance.

At about 2 A.M. we are finally done with tear down and clean up and headed out to Taylor's Restaurant for breakfast. Wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

LOVE my hometown, MARLOW, USA!

TO BE CONTINUED ...