South Down Main performed in the later afternoon at Hope Train Day Saturday.
By April Lovette and Jeff Smithpeters
Hope Train Day brought a variety of entertainment choices for participants to enjoy. Between the various acts taking the stage and the plentiful choices in the kids' zone, there was a little something for everyone in downtown Hope today.
Dancetastics dancers took the stage first this morning and entertained onlookers with their delightful routines, followed by the musical stylings of the Hope High School Jazz Band. While the main acts were on the stage, the kids' zone was open for business, offering bounce houses, a rock wall, and more. Also available to the younger guests was a miniature train that gave rides all around the downtown blocks of Hope.
If music and games weren't on your agenda, plenty of food and shopping was available. Train Day guests could also stop by the SWARK.Today tent for free hot dogs, cooked and served by the SWARKansans themselves. Plus, free water was given to those in attendance, courtesy of the Hope Tourism commission who hosted and funded Hope Train Day.
The Nighthawk Band took the stage, playing an assortment of bluesy country numbers, including T.G. Shepherd's "I Loved Them Every One," Merle Haggard's "Big City," Restless Heart's "Bluest Eyes in Texas," Collin Raye's "Little Rock," Don Williams or Mel McDaniel's "Louisiana Saturday Night," David Allan Coe's "The Ride," and many other tunes. The Night Hawk Band's vocal harmonies and guitar soloing were especially strong.
South Down Main had a tough act to follow but the ensemble was tight and the show was made with their harder rocking repertoire of hits like Billy Joe Shaver's "Georgia on a Fast Train," Blake Shelton's "Ol' Red," and others. The band was augmented today by powerful vocalist Obie Sims.
The winners of the barbecue rib competition was announced at around 4:20 p.m. from the stage by Sharon Caldwell, part owner of Tailgaters and Chair of the Hope Advertising and Tourist Promotion Commission and Summer Powell, Superintendent of Hope Parks and Recreation. First place, which won $1,250 was Brothers Barbecue from Memphis. Second, winning $750, was Lee and Sons. Third, winning $350, was King of Que.
SWARK.Today asked Brothers Barbecue what was in their sauce, "Something red," was the only response.
The Nighthawk Band
South Down Main
Brothers Barbecue won first place in the ribs competition. Left to right is winner Ellis Marshall of Memphis, Sharon Caldwell, Hope Advertising and Tourist Promotion Chair, Summer Powell, Hope Parks and Recreation Superintendent and winner Wynton Marshall, also of Memphis.
