There is lots to do this weekend in Williamsburg

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Well, you have a couple of good options Saturday right here in Williamsburg.

The Whitley County Historical & Genealogical Society will be holding its annual Heritage Day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday at the old L&N Railroad Depot in Williamsburg.

The day will feature crafts, demonstrations, tours, model trains and lots of interesting local history.

I’ve been to this event several times. The historical society has done a good job with the facility and there is a lot to see there. If you have an interest in history, local history, trains or genealogy then there is a good chance you will have a good time.

The museum that the historical society has put together is especially impressive when you take into account it was done entirely by volunteers and by a non-profit organization.

In addition, the society is extending a special invitation Saturday to everyone in the Meadow Creek and Maple Creek areas. The newly printed Meadow Creek book will have family information and photos. The newly printed Maple Creek book will have cemetery information for family members.

The other event happening Saturday is the Fourth Annual Chili Cookoff and Community Yard Sale. Both events will take place this year at the Williamsburg Civic Center.

The yard sale will take place from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. inside the civic center, so you won’t have to worry about the weather. The cost is $5 per table to sell items at the yard sale, but it doesn’t cost anything to look, unless you buy something that is.

There should be a good assortment. Williamsburg Tourism Director Alvin Sharpe tells me that over 100 people have already reserved tables. As the old saying goes, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

The chili cookoff will take place from noon – 2 p.m. If you have a real good chili recipe, then whip some up and bring it down. You might win a $100 prize.

If you can’t cook chili, but like eating it, then you might want to come down and help judge the people’s choice portion of the contest while getting to sample some free chili.

In addition, the Tad Paddle Bluegrass Band will be performing from noon – 2 p.m.

Now for a few other thoughts before I conclude this column.

• I say if you really want to make the presidential debates interesting, then give both candidates a shot of truth serum about an hour before the next debate and see what happens. Talk about must watch television.

Speaking of the presidential race, I’m thankful that all of our candidates for local offices are much better behaved than either of the major party presidential candidates.

• I enjoyed hearing University of the Cumberlands Athletic Director Chris Kraftick speak to the Williamsburg Kiwanis Club Thursday. One interesting fact that Kraftick noted that I found particularly interesting is that about half of the undergraduate students at the school are student athletes.

• Williamsburg’s new REACH Alert system should be a good thing. It is an automated system that local residents can sign up for and get alerts by either text message or automated phone call. It is similar to a system that most local school districts already utilize.

The city plans to use it to send out alerts in the event of things, like a tornado watch, a severe traffic jam in town that will have traffic snarled for a while, or to alert folks about big events coming up, such as local block parties.

I signed up for the alert system Monday afternoon, and it is easy to use, if you want to participate.