The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which takes place at 10a.m. at Fairgrounds Park.  Refreshments will be available to guests.

Construction on the new Marina and Fairgrounds will begin shortly after groundbreaking and the marina is set to open to the public in the fall of 2010. New amenities at the Marina and Redeveloped Fairgrounds Park will include ball fields, an amphitheatre and new recreational facilities.

The proposed marina

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The courtesy boat dock at McGregor Park will remain closed to the public during the event.

The Independence Day Celebration begins at 6p.m. Friday, July 3.  Fireworks begin at 9:30p.m.

The opening ceremony

The Downtown Kiwanis Club is currently hosting its 25th annual rodeo at the Clarksville, Montgomery County Fairgrounds. The rodeo opened on Friday, June 12th and will continue on Saturday, June 13th at 8pm. Tickets can be pre-purchased at area Wendy’s Restaurants and are $10. If you wait to purchase your tickets at the gate, the cost increases to $15.

Events include calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, and bull riding. There are also various contests, games, and inflatables (provided by Go Play! Party Rentals), for the kids to enjoy.

In most events of this nature, concessions are frequently overpriced. That is not the case with the Kiwanis Rodeo. Hot Dogs, Nachos, and Wendy’s Frostys run $2.00. Their Excellent BBQ sandwiches and the funnel cakes are $4.00. Popcorn, Snow Cones, Cotton Candy, Soft Drinks, and Bottled Water are just $1.00.

The Kiwanis club utilizes the revenue generated from the rodeo to fund their philanthropic works in the community, including a Christmas party for children in the Head Start program, they buy presents and winter hats and coats for them.  Buying books for the reading is fundamental program.  They also give donations other youth oriented organizations. To find out more about the charitable works of the Clarksville Kiwanis club visit their web site.

This weekend’s rodeo is the last event at the Fairgrounds park before it is closed for marina construction.

If you have never been to a rodeo before, here is a sneak preview from the 2008 Kiwanis Rodeo…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photo Gallery

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Be sure to get to the Fairgrounds early to claim your spot by the pond as it tends to get crowded quickly.  The first round of fishing for ages 9 and under starts at 8:00 a.m. and lasts until 9:00a.m. Ages 10 to 16 get to fish from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.  Youth are allowed one fishing pole per participant. Parents can assist in baiting, casting or taking the fish off the hook. Bait will be provided at no charge the day of the event while supplies last. Trophies and Prizes will be awarded in various categories. Free food and drinks will be provided.

For more information about the fishing rodeo, please contact TWRA at 1-800-624-7406.

Clarksville Parks and Recreation plans to hold the event at the new Heritage Park Bark Park at a later date.  The new date will be announced as soon as it is determined.

The Fairgrounds Park Bark Park will close May 4 to make way for construction of the marina and redeveloped Fairgrounds Park.   A new Bark Park will open at Heritage Park in summer 2009.

]]> http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/05/02/doggiepalooza-postponed/feed/ 0 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/03/24/taxpayers-to-get-first-view-of-marina-project-to-be-unveiled-in-public/ http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/03/24/taxpayers-to-get-first-view-of-marina-project-to-be-unveiled-in-public/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:00:00 +0000 News Staff http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=17339 The City of Clarksville will host the public unveiling for the design of the new marina and redeveloped Fairgrounds Park on Thursday, March 26th.  The event will be held at the Riverview Inn (50 College Street) at 6:00p.m.

The public is invited to attend for a first look at the new marina project, set to break ground in July 2009. The preview will feature structures, materials and amenities of the forthcoming addition to Clarksville.

JJR, the engineering firm contracted to design the “new” fairgrounds park and marina, reported to  the city that the multi- million dollar water park as planned was too large a footprint for the designated area. JJR also presented a preview of what the marina will look like when it opens next year.

Jim Durrett said the city is “not stopping” the water park but rather searching for a new location and conducting a “feasibility study” on whether Clarksville could or would support such a facility.

A question should be raised as to why a feasibility study was not done and paid for BEFORE the city arranged financing for this project, something that would seem the sensible, practical thing to do.  Most municipalities — including Hopkinsville, KY –  that are running water parks run them in the red financially, or at best, at a break even in a good summer; they become a “quality of life” accessory for some area residents. If the city is looking for a new site for a water park, what  additional cost (read: new debt) will be incurred on that additional debt should the city move to  implement a water park in said new location.

JJR engineers senior project manager Bruce Lunde presented a preview of the Fairgrounds Park and marina, which city officials steadfastly maintain  will open in 2010, despite the fact that no state environmental or Army Corps of Engineering (and the related public hearings)  public hearings or permit approvals have been granted.

The preview presented detailed materials to be used in construction of the park buildings, including a shade pavilion at the Bark Park and other structures on the spit of land between the marina and Cumberland River. Tennessee limestone will be used for the base of most structures, including the observation building. Additional awnings will create areas of shade, and metal roofing in a titanium hue will be used on the structures.

JJR expects to complete the main components of the marina by October, 2010. Bids for some site preparation will be sent out in May. Excavation is expected to begin in July. There is no timetable on how long it will take contractors to excavated  an estimated 800,000 cubic yards of soil and re-distribute it over other areas of the fairgrounds project.

As presented in this overview, fishing buffs will be able to access a new and improved pond, estimated at three times the size of the existing pond with a meandering shoreline edged in wetlands and wetland grasses. Engineers note that the wetland will help regulate storm water and filter it in a manner that leaves the pond itself less prone to becoming “muddied.”

The post-tornado remains of the popular Fairgrounds Pavilion: May 2008

But as presented this week, there emerged a glaring, gaping hole in the original concept of a refurbished Fairgrounds Park:  no new pavilion or auditorium.  The fairgrounds heavily used pavilion was effectively smashed and relocated by last springs spate of tornadoes, and many residents have been anxiously awaiting the construction of a new facility that would serve many of the city’s residents and organizations. JJR said it expects  to resume the design process for a pavilion by summer, since the primary focus at this time is marina land and the planned basin preparation and construction.

]]> http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/02/13/fairground-development-detailed-water-park-quashed-pavilion-replacement-on-hold/feed/ 0 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/12/13/a-writers-calendar-in-review/ http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/12/13/a-writers-calendar-in-review/#comments Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:00:10 +0000 Turner McCullough Jr. http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=12284

The past several months have provided a wealth of images and topics to be covered. Local and regional interests have drawn my attention, eye and words to their descriptive influences.

I thought it a fitting action to showcase the ninety or more days of news coverage to give you, our readers, a glimpse at just how much effort goes into bringing you information and news of your world. Not every image presented here will have been previously included in a published news story. Some of these images are background material and some are just for visual impression. Often we see things which are inspirational, if not exactly newsworthy or pertinent to the immediate story. They have to wait for special coverage like this to have their day.

Starting with the volunteer parachute packer above, who gave his time and service to the Thank You Foundation’s courtesy parachute jumps at Outlaw Field as a way to honor wounded soldiers, many opportune moments of singular deference to others abound through out our community.

American Flag in the dark

While some show deference, there are those instances where an apparent indifference is on display. This writer has more than once commented about how businesses and governmental entities are dishonoring our nation’s flag by flaying it at night without proper illumination. City government functions share an unseemly portion of this shame. From city hall to the police department to fire stations, the nation’s flag flies 24 hours a day. At night it is not properly illuminated.

Fun times are to be had as a writer covering community events. One such example is the bedlam that is the APSU Mud Bowl. This year was my first occasion to witness this descent into seemingly mindless abandon.

Otherwise perfectly sane college students willingly climb into an arena of mud for a three-minute round of volley ball, with no other incentive than to be able to say, “We did it!” In the process, the mud bowl conquers all who dare enter. And the students gleefully rejoice in this. It beats goldfish, at least.

New to the city’s landscape this year is Strawberry Alley. This new downtown gathering area was christened by an equally new  city-sponsored bi-monthly event dubbed, “Jammin’ in the Alley!”

The inaugural opening honors was bestowed upon “The Beagles,” who gave a rollicking good show that saw dancing in the street and yes, that was Kevin Kennedy joining in to do ‘The Electric Slide!’

The Franklin Street merchants took full advantage of this crowd attraction to accent their businesses with Benne’s Steakhouse and Piano Bar, The Front Page Deli and Brunnie’s all setting out bistro tables for the more than willing patrons.

A favorite annual event is the Native Cultural Circle Inter-Tribal Powwow. Staged out at the campground in Port Royal adjacent to the Port Royal Historic State Park. The park has seen distinction added to its crown with the National Park Service designating it an official Trail of Tears historic park. This year, in recognition that the park encompasses that last unobstructed section of the original trail in Tennessee, a Commemoration Trail of Tears March Walk was conducted on that hallowed ground.

Following the Park System ceremony, the walk continued on to the Powwow grounds where Head Lady Loretta Howard and Head Man Michael Veal led the opening traditional dance. A new community group debuted at this year’s powwow. The Hawaiian Civic Group performed several native Pacific Islander dances. Fun dances included the ‘Children’s Candy Dance,’ and the ‘Ugly Man’ dance.

National politics had an impact here this year. The presidential election saw a marked increased in voter registration and turn-out. Voter rallies and forums were held all over the area. Candidates knocked on doors and held town hall meetings to introduce themselves to their constituencies. Articles on voter registration requirements and voting practices appeared in the local mainstream media. Negative campaigning saw new heights on both the local and national stages. Unprecedented election politics were played out and locally a write-in campaign by a major political player stirred up the public’s appetite for drama. Although the August primaries saw an abysmal voter turnout, the November General Elections saw a resounding repudiation of that voter apathy with a strong seventy-percent voter turn-out.

Also during this time, the APSU Woodward Library held another session of its Athenaeum presentation series. Kasey Hendricks gave an impressive and stirring talk on his study: “Defending Affirmative Action- E’race’ing Inequality.” The lecture/discussion was well attended and the following discussion proved quite enlightening as information about discrimination in a little known realm was revealed.

Autumn continues its advance in Middle Tennessee and Montgomery County shares in the seasonal changes in nature. Trees change color, shed leaves and all other signs of time’s passage are manifested. At Dunbar Cave Park, the advance of seasons is well on display. The waterfowl make their noises and the landscape yields to changes in light. One of the most colorful examples of this is the beautiful berry clusters found along the stairway from the park’s information center towards the cave itself. This colorful display belongs to the American Beauty Bush.

Dunbar Cave also shifts gears as it gears up for the annual October nighttime tour event known as, “The Haunted History Tour.” These guided tours take visitors inside the cavernous depths of the cave, the seventieth long in the entire U.S., and informs them of the cave’s development and history. Held over the course of two days, usually the weekend prior to Halloween, the tours are a family fun way to explore the cave. This year saw well over 500 visitors take the tour.

Now viewing the changing season is not restricted to Montgomery County. There was also the opportunity to travel to a business expo in Paris. No, not that one across the Atlantic. this one is much closer. We don’t have a budget that would allow the Trans-Atlantic expense and I don’t know anyone in France, although Strasborough is really nice. The backroads between Montgomery County and Henry County afford one the opportunity to see Mother Nature’s paint brush busily at work. The many scenic vistas of bodies of water marking landfall are nicely contrasted with the changing colors of the wooded foliage that dominates the abundant landscape of the area. And of course, when in Paris, how can you leave without visiting The Eifel Tower? Expect to see a posting about that expo soon on ‘Discover Paris!’

As autumn’s march continues, the window for early voting for the general election was closing. This year had seen a abysmal voter turnout for the August primary. Not even ten percent of the county’s voters felt compelled to cast their votes and decide how their government would take shape. However the general election was a horse of a different  color indeed. Montgomery County got energized and really stepped up to the ballot box in record numbers.

Early voting saw fully forty percent of registered voters had gone to the Election Commission in Veterans Plaza and cast their votes. Also during this time, Austin Peay State University held its annual homecoming activities. This year, the celebrations extended to the city’s newest gathering spot with the Homecoming ‘Street Dance in the Alley.’ The Mike Robinson Band was the music choice and gave a lively set for the evening’s participants.

The presidential debate scene came to Tennessee as Belmont University played host to the second 2008 Presidential Debate. While Clarksville was not a central player in this dramatic event, its proximity did draw elements of our community into its sphere of influence. The Montgomery County Democratic Party held a Debate Watch Party at its Madison Street headquarters. There was an alternative debate and other debate day activities that gave special emphasis to the event.

On our local political scene, after the nastiness of the August primary and the bad vibes that followed the special tri-county convention to select the Democratic Party candidate for District 22, voters turned out to resoundingly favor Attorney Tim Barnes as their state senator. Congrats to him for running a clean, above board campaign all the way thru. He’s got some really great people working with him- DJ, Adam and Adam, and a very supportive partner in wife Linda and their children. If you haven’t already done so, please do check out the exclusive interview Tim gave Clarksville Online. I think you’ll find it a good read.

The Youth Victory Garden celebrated its first harvest and held a community fair to mark the occasion. Various civic and social consciousness and service groups participated in celebrating the young people’s efforts and making the community aware of their presence. The Brandon Hill Community Heritage Youth Victory Garden was under the guardianship of The Mount Olive Historical Preservation Society. The youth came from the Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools System. They cleared the land and planted all the crops, tended to them during the growing season, even during school breaks and over the summer.

Additionally the APSU Music Department’s Percussion Ensemble held its annual Halloween Concert with all performers in some form of holiday costume. The musical selections were a lively mix that were well adapted to the occasion. The APSU University Choir lent their voices to marvelous effect in producing a musical presentation that left no one unimpressed. Barvo!

Also happening within this timeframe was the 24th Annual Ohio Valley History Conference, held this year at Austin Peay State University. The two-day event proved an exciting and informative affair. Presenters came from across the country and even Canada. The History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, recognized new members. Dr. Richard Gildrie celebrated his retirement after a 38-year career in history academia. The APSU Graphic Arts Dept. showcased its Goldsmith Press and Rare Type Collection, printing conference posters and gift bags. John Seigenthaler Sr. was the keynote for the conference banquet dinner. In all, over one hundred-twenty papers were presented and discussed. I wish I could have cloned myself about fifteen times, and that still would not have been enough to cover the sessions that drew my interest.

Not even a full two weeks following the OVHC, the Arts and Heritage Development Council held it Lifetime Achievement Awards celebration at the Pace Alumni Center at Emerald Hill. A warm and lively gathering of celebrants and well-wishers filled the center’s hallways and rooms. A wide cross-selection of the community was on hand to fete Dr. George Mabry, his equally talented wife, Dr. Sharon Mabry and Secretary of State Riley Darnell. Then there was last week’s surprising city council meeting, where the cost of the marina project shot from $20 million dollars to $32 million dollars. I think there’s more on that to come. Of course, most of you will be aware of the mayor’s signing a contract with Rediflex for installation and operation of red-light cameras in our community. Instead of the original six, we will now get twenty of these devices. The University of Tennessee released a study on the effectiveness of these types of so-called safety measures back in September that may provide you, our readers, with some somber thought-provoking information.

Gee, but it’s hard to believe all this happened within the sixty to seventy-five days. How did I ever cover it all. I must acknowledge my colleagues here at Clarksville Online. The team effort is all important and central to our operation and success. The holidays are fast coming upon and Clarksville Online will seek to provide ever relevant coverage of news and public interest events. Still to come are updates on TEPPCO’s processed fuels storage facility two miles from the city’s water-intake point on the Cumberland River and the unveiling of the city’s newest fountain on Strawberry Alley; the USDOJ/HUD Public Fact Gathering Meeting on the city’s Redevelopment Plan, and of course the corresponding lawsuit against the citizens group filed by a council member and a real estate developer connected to the plan; the swearing-in of new city council members and the closing of Fairgrounds Park to make way for the marina dredging and development.

Wild west Chuck wagon Race at Kiwanis Rodeo

This weekend brought two days of rodeo excitement to Clarksville at the Fairgrounds Park. Friday was the opening night and Wendy’s Restaurants sponsored it’s Kids Night at the Rodeo.

Kiwanis Chairman Glenn Childers

Glenn Childers, 2008 Downtown Kiwanis Club Chair, gave a brief rundown of this year’s rodeo, adding that the Kiwanis Club, with its 128 members, are proud that this was their 24th year bringing the rodeo to the Clarksville community. This rodeo was a very family-oriented and family-friendly happening, with the proceeds the Downtown Kiwanis Club raise dedicated to aid children and youth programs.

The pageantry of rodeo is colorful, dramatic, patriotic and exciting. Mark North, rodeo announcer, does an excellent job of informing the crowd of what is going on in the arena and encouraging everyone’s participation and appreciation for the athletes’ performances on display, both human and animal. Livestock takes on an entirely new meaning when 3,000 pounds of bucking steer animal is in your face !

All American: Carrying the colors

There are chuck wagon races, Children’s “Lost Shoe Match Up” competitions, “Gold in the Haystack” searches for the younger set as well as the grown-ups. Trick riding, rodeo clowns, shooting demonstration are all part of the rodeo show.

A Cowboy waits ready at the gate

The rodeo, though, at its most basic, is about the true life western cowboy skills of herding cattle, developed by those early cattle herders. Those men were mostly former Buffalo Soldiers and freed slaves from South seeking to better their lives and put distance between themselves and their past lives of bondage. Popularized in the late 19th century with Wild West shows, these rodeo skills, which now recognize the skills of women as well, have come to be known as calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc roping, bareback roping and bull riding. All of these skill sets are on display and vetted nightly at the Clarksville Rodeo.

Young cowboy gets ready to test his new skills

Food vendors offered cotton candy, funnel cakes, nachos snow cones, popcorn, and hot dogs. Wayne Abrams, barbecue specialist extraordinaire worked his ‘Applewood Magic,’ with Bubba’s Tennessee Smokers creating barbecue sandwiches, and Wendy’s Frosties to cool the fire from all that barbecue. Tastebuds were bound to be sated. Six lanes of inflatable slides and jumping castle in Kids Playland Adrenolin Rush II, sponsored by the F&M Bank, was a real bargain at five dollars per child for unlimited playtime.

Youngsters have a chance to explore tractors, backhoes and other equipment

Business sponsor Joe Heitz Toyata hosted a static display of Tacoma and Tundra V-8 trucks. Thompson Equipment had a static display of CAT machinery on hand, allowing youngsters to have a picture taken in the cab of the big rig. Bikers Who Care conducted ticket sales for their motorbike give-a-way. Raffle tickets were five dollars for the chance to win a Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 beauty. During the rodeo, five tickets were only $20.00. Proceeds benefit Camp Rainbow, Buddy Ball and other children charities. Bill Roberts’ Thunder Road had a static display of pleasure boats for viewing.

Other attractions included a petting zoo and pony ride, the livestock pens. Lindsey Haliburton is on hand, signing personal portraits and circles the corral in the Joe Heitz Chuck Wagon. The Clarksville Police Department Mounted Patrol are also to be seen. The local business community support of this event is impressive: local banks, storage operations, construction, veterinary care, certified accountants, auto repair to car sales, pleasure watercraft sales, radio media, web design, printers, lodging, livestock, restaurants of all genre, lawyers and law firms, concrete products,commercial real estate, architectural firms, communications and insurance firms — virtually every sector of the local business community was involved in some way with this rodeo.

Some of the results of Friday night include: Bareback Riding, sponsored by Legends Bank, won by Zach Holston; Saddle Bronc Riding, sponsored by Joe Heitz Toyota, won by Peter Fowlkes; Barrel Racing, sponsored by Budweiser, won by Jessica Moore; and Breakaway Roping, sponsored by Grandpas, won by Julie Ennis.

For the uninitiated, it was a chance to get acquainted with the real living tradition of the American West. Cowboys, Cowgirls, horses and cows — “That’s American!”

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The Youth Fishing Rodeo is a free event coordinated at Fairgrounds pond on June 7. Children up to age 16 may fish in the rodeo without a license. Pre-registration forms are available at most sporting goods stores in the area. Registration starts at 7:15 a.m. the day of the event. The pond gets crowded quick so come early to claim your spot. The first round of fishing starts at 8:00 a.m. and lasts until 9:00 a.m. for ages 9 and under. Ages 10 to 16 get to fish from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. You are allowed one fishing pole per participant. Parents can assist in baiting, casting, or taking the fish off the hook. Bait and goodie bags will be provided at no charge the day of the event, while supplies last. Prizes will be awarded in several categories.

For more information about the fishing rodeo, please contact TWRA at 1-800-624-7406.

In the dark of night, lit only by shards of lightning, families in the High Street area surveyed the damage from what at this writing appeared to be a tornado strike just missing downtown Clarksville. Several homes were damaged by trees; power lines, downed signs, blown transformers littered the landscape. Widespread power outages were noted throughout south Clarksville. Initial reports from police and fire crews indicate that at least one twister may have touched down. No injuries were reported at this time.

Along Highway 13/48, the fairgrounds pavilion was demolished and its debris effectively relocated across the street by Mother Nature. At Gary Matthews, transformer poles and power lines were blown down and draped over brand new 2008 SUVs. Police cordoned off the road to all but emergency vehicles as they worked close to the fairgrounds section. Red and blue flashing lights brightened the night sky across the area.

Just a few minutes after midnight, after a day of waiting for the slow moving storms to arriv in Middle Tennessee, sirens roared to life even as the tornadic winds instantly killed power to homes and businesses. CDE, Cable, Highway Department and police and fire crews will have their hands full with clean-up operations in the wake of the storm, which dumped several inches of rain and triggered flash flood warnings for southern Kentucky counties.

In looking over the damages early this morning, Clarksville Online publisher Bill Larson took this gallery of photos. We will continue to follow this developing story.