Last weekends Lone Oak Picnic drew huge crowd

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Cunningham, TN – On Saturday, July 30th the Central Civitan Club held their 103rd annual Lone Oak Picnic. It is a place to gather to socialize, enjoy some great food, and to learn about the issues facing our community.

Everyone was kicking back, and relaxing as they enjoyed the gospel, country and bluegrass entertainment. The car show is always a hit. There was even inflatables and a train for the kids.

Donald Greene and Lucian Greene of the Back Lot Pickers played for the large crowd on hand for the 103rd Lone Oak Picnic.

To prepare for the event, Civitan members barbecued four whole hogs, 24 shoulders and 50 whole chickens. The barbecue was cooked and prepared right on the event grounds. All during the day, fresh BBQ was being taken from the pit and served to an never ending line of customers.

They had sold out of chicken in less than two hours. Popcorn, cotton candy and sno-cones were some of the other items available at the Lone Oak Picnic.

One of the long standing traditions of the Lone Oak Picnic are the political speeches. This year, some of the speakers were Kellie Jackson, County Clerk; Mike Frost, Montgomery County Highway Supervisor; State Senator Tim Barnes; and State Representative Joe Pitts. After the speeches, Larry Pitts held a ceremony dedicating this year’s Lone Oak Picnic program to Carrie Hickerson Heath.

Boy Scout Troop 546 was selling Funnel Cakes as a fundraiser to raise money to replace their trailer and gear that was stolen three weeks earlier.

Add during the day, different groups performed for those in attendance. Made up of six sisters, Ward Family Bluegrass had everyone toe tapping to their gospel as well as bluegrass music. Local favorites Donald Greene and Lucian Greene of the Back Lot Pickers played country music as well as some southern rock. Young gutarist Kyle Greene played a few numbers for the crowd. A surprise appearance by the Dove Brothers Quartet was a real treat for everyone.

All the proceeds from the Lone Oak Picnic are used in the communities south of the Cumberland River through several projects sponsored by the Central Civitan Club. The Central Civitan Club, for example, supports the local Boy and Girl Scout troops. The club provides financial assistance to victims of house fires in the community. They also fund scholarships for and support many educational and extra-curricular activities of the students, teachers and staff at Montgomery Central High School, Middle School and Elementary School as well as Cumberland Heights Elementary School.

The Lone Oak Picnic is a wonderful community tradition in the Cunningham area. If you missed it this year, mark it on your calendar as a must due for next year. Those that attended are sure to come back again for the delicious barbecue, music and fellowship.