By Mike Shadwick
Correspondent
IF YOU GO* What: 1890’s Days Jamboree* Where: Catoosa County Courthouse lawn, Ringgold, Ga.* Cost: Free.* Information: http://1890sday.comSCHEDULEFriday* Gospel Music: 6 p.m. Courthouse Lawn Stage* Bluegrass gospel music: 6 p.m. Cleveland Street Stage* Contemporary gospel: 6 p.m. Historic Ringgold Depot StageSaturday* Old Time Fiddlers Convention Musical Competition: 9 a.m. Courthouse Lawn Stage* Music and dance: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Cleveland Street Stage* 17th annual Jamboree Pageant: 2 p.m., Historic Ringgold Depot Stage* Car show: 3 p.m. First Baptist Church parking lot* Fireworks: 10 p.m.Source: 1890’s Day Jamboree
RINGGOLD, Ga. — Residents in Ringgold are reaching out to their neighbors this year, hoping to lure them to the 1890’s Days Jamboree.
An estimated 12,000 people attended the event last year, said event organizers who want to increase that number through billboards that have been placed on Chattanooga’s Brainerd Road, sections of Interstate 75 and in parts of Dalton, Ga.
“It’s just good, clean fun,” said Terry Crawford, one of the event’s organizers. “We want anyone and everyone who can to enjoy it.”
The festival, now in its 35th year, was created when Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe still shared a Chamber of Commerce, according to Ringgold Mayor Joe Barger. It was named for a period of celebration during the late 19th century, he said.
Although the event doesn’t officially begin until noon Friday, city officials and helpful residents began the construction of stages on each end of the courthouse lawn Monday.
“Friday night will be gospel night,” Mr. Crawford said. “And then we’ll have two bands on Saturday night.”
Five blocks of Ringgold’s Nashville street will be blocked off shortly before the festivities kick off Friday, detouring traffic around the Ringgold Depot and past the fire department to make room for about 100 vendors.
Samples of several types of foods, crafts and art, among other specialty items, will be available, officials said.
For children, a section will house rides and inflatable slides.
“We’re hoping to block of a section to have a little train ride for the kids this year,” Mr. Crawford said.
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