The Clinton County Rec/Park Board held its regular meeting last Thursday, July 25 with 10 members present and received some good news about an upcoming event that may be held at Mountain View Park on Labor Day weekend.

Two newly appointed board members, Jay Garner and Lora Brewington, were among those present for the one-hour and 40-minute session, which included discussion about this week’s 127 Corridor Sale as well as the possibility of the park hosting the recently cancelled Chamber of Commerce fireworks show.

Garner, who is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, proposed the idea of incorporating another fundraiser the park board is planning, that of a car show, to be held in conjunction with the fireworks show and other events.

The date the chamber set for rescheduling the July 4th show is the Saturday night of Labor Day weekend, August 31.

The park board has initially planned a car show at the park for September 14, but agreed that if the two could be combined and make it a full day/night event, it would be better for all concerned, especially the park board who would earmark all proceeds raised at the event for much needed playground equipment for the park.

Garner said the company who puts on the annual fireworks show, Pyrotechnics, had looked at the middle school property just behind the park–the ball fields at CCMS–as a possible location to set off the fireworks. This would take the permission of the Clinton County Board of Education prior to the event and possibly another study of the site itself.

Following a lengthy discussion, board chairman Vince Ostertag moved to combine the car show and fireworks celebration into one event.

Several other aspects were also discussed and decided on by the board in relation to the August 31 program, including starting the car show–which will also be open to tractors and motorcyles–around noon with judging to take place in the afternoon.

Garner also said he felt he could get the same gospel groups that had originally planned to perform at the fairgrounds on July 4, to provide musical entertainment from around 6 to 8:30 p.m. that evening.

The board will also try to get the JROTC and CCHS band to perform from around 8:30 p.m. until the fireworks start at 9 p.m.

As far as the car show itself, there will be a $15 entry fee and trophies will be awarded in five categories: Tractor, motorcycle, late model car/truck, early model car/truck and Ladies Choice. The trophy presentation will be held, tentatively, around 4 p.m.

Also related to the car show, the park board will allow for area business to set up trade show booths for $25 each and sell vehicle related products only.

Also, a rain out day was scheduled for Sunday, September 1.

Concessions will also be available throughout the afternoon and evening and the park board will also be accepting donations from anyone who would like to give toward the purchase of playground equipment, as all funds raised during the entire day will be used for that sole cause.

A special call meeting of the board has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 13 at 6 p.m. to solidify plans for the upcoming program and more details will be announced after that meeting.

The board also discussed final plans for this week’s 127 Yard Sale, which funds raised will go toward regular operating expenses at the park and is the board’s single largest annual fundraiser.

Park Director Bobby Reneau said that as of last Thursday, only two people had rented food space areas on the food court, which will be located at the basketball court. He also said only a few of the indoor sale vendor locations had been rented in the Farmer’s Market building, but hoped there would be more of both vendors prior to the actual start of the 127 sale.

Reneau also noted that as of last week, only about three-fourths of the vendor spots, compared to last year, had been rented but also hoped that number would increase some prior to the actual sale beginning.

The board had also planned a softball tournament recently, but the event was cancelled due to lack of participation as only three teams had entered. Apparently the timing of the tournament conflicted with local participation in the Bluegrass State Games which was going on at the same time.

Reneau noted, however, the mixed league tournament would be rescheduled for sometime after the 127 Sale.

They also approved minutes from two previous meetings as well as the monthly treasurer’s report. The report showed a fund balance at the end of June at $9,760.97 with $2,429.74 in bills pending and $1,121.56 in deposits pending.

Also, the amount earmarked for the playground stood at $769.59 but it is hoped that amount will increase significantly after the upcoming fundraising events, including the car show/fireworks show and softball tournament.

The next regular meeting of the Rec/Park Board is scheduled for Thursday, August 29 at 6 p.m. at Mountain View Park and is open to the general public.