Harmon Field celebrates 80th birthday this weekend

October 12, 2007

Everyone’s invited to a special birthday bash this weekend at Harmon Field.
The Harmon Field 80th Birthday Celebration, scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday, will include music, games, crafters, food vendors and a wide range of activities.
The Friends of Harmon Field organization has planned the busy weekend to celebrate the park’s long history and its integral role in the lives of Thermal Belt area residents.
The park, created in 1927 through a Harmon Foundation Playground grant, has served as home for many equestrian events over the years, including Block House Races and Tryon Horse shows. It’s also hosted many other events, such as the Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival, the largest event in the county.
In addition to the events, families gather for reunions and picnics, children play on the playground and the sports fields and many residents use Harmon Field’s facilities to get their daily exercise.
Harmon Field was officially opened with band music and special ceremonies on March 15, 1928. It started with 15.75 acres, and steadily grew over the years to its present size of about 45 acres.
Today Harmon Field boasts four stables, with nearly 150 stalls, three show rings, three lighted baseball fields, picnic sheds and tables, concession stands, four all-weather lighted tennis courts, lighted football field, paved walking trails, a walking track, an exercise course and a well-equipped playground for the children.
As Harmon Field celebrates its 80th birthday, it’s clear it has fulfilled the mission set forth by William Harmon, who believed that “The gift of land is the gift eternal,” and wished that all playgrounds sponsored through his philanthropic endeavors would be “Dedicated forever to the plays of children, the development of youth and the recreation of all.”
The following is a summary of activities scheduled for this weekend’s celebration.
Music
From noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Woody Cowan Trio will be performing live or with recorded music. The trio consists of Woody Cowan on the guitar or bass, Carey Upton on the keyboard or guitar, and Calum Upton on the drums. The music will be varied to fit the audience present.
Food
Some of the food items that will be available are: fresh squeezed lemonade and orangeade, popcorn, Sno Cones, fried fish, chicken wings, fries, hot dogs, kielbasa, soda, chips, vegetarian or chicken tamales, vegetarian hot dogs, boiled peanuts, apple butter, baked goods, pizza, hamburgers, Italian sausage, iced tea, cheeseburgers, cheese sticks, chili, cheese fries, Mexican food, pork and chicken BBQ plates and sandwiches, onion rings, baked beans, slaw, hushpuppies, fish.
Fun park
The Friends of Harmon Field fun park includes a Moon Bounce, Giant Slide, Full Court Press, Obstacle Course, and Miniature Golf Experience.
Crafters
Some of the items at the craft booths will be: bird feeders with natural feed and suet, handcrafted engraved plaques, engraved cups, crystal glass nail files, intarsia, handcrafted note cards using area flora, Bibles, gifts for children,
T-shirts, pictures, art, handcrafted jewelry with semiprecious gemstones and freshwater pearls, handmade pocketbooks, aprons, crocheted items, handmade wooden ornaments, signs, oil landscapes, cross-stitched items, hand-sewn items, sparkle glasses, polymer clay jewelry, glass jewelry, holiday wood items, glass wind chimes, handmade bags, children’s coloring bags, artisan jewelry, crafts made by adults with disabilities from Polk County, country crafts, teddy bears for home décor, tote bags, pine cone wreaths, Tupperware and Stanley products, felted hats and bags, knitted items, Swarovski crystal beaded jewelry, animal portraits, pottery and scarves.
A raffle for a free dog grooming session will also be held.
Tryon Arts and Crafts Center
Tryon Arts and Crafts Center will offer demonstrations throughout the birthday celebration in a wide range of areas: blacksmith forge, lapidary, pottery, quilting, silversmithing, weaving, and woodworking. “Fiber in the Mountains,” a Western North Carolina Fibers/Handweavers Guild Show, will also be on display in the gallery.
Dog show
The 74th Annual Any and All Dog Show will be held on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Registration starts at 1 p.m., and the show begins at 2 p.m. Bring your dog for an afternoon of fun.
A Blessing of the Animals will also be held at 2 p.m. Father Michael Doty will provide a special blessing for pets brought to the event. Animals must be leashed, caged, or otherwise confined.
Foothills Humane Society
Foothills Humane Society will be looking to the people of Polk County to provide homes for various pets. Be sure to check in with them on Saturday between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. and on Sunday.
Storytelling
A wood-burning fireplace, provided courtesy of Greg and Cindy McCarren of Foothills Fireplace & Stove will add to the ambiance of the storytelling setting. You will likely hear about the history of Harmon Field, tales about our local community, stories about the Western North Carolina mountain people, and ghost stories.
Paul Nelson will tell stories at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Garland Goodwin will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Carroll Rogers will be at 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, and Marilyn McMinn-McCredie will be at 7 p.m. on both days.
Horsin’ Round Harmon Field amateur radio event
Thermal Belt Amateur Radio Club member Tom Burns, N2PNE, will be available to assist anyone who would like to make a contact with someone perhaps in another country. Ray Costine, KA4OTH, club vice president, will also be available to help make contacts. Each person who makes a contact will receive a QSO card to commemorate their activity on the amateur radio bands.
TBCTA
The Thermal Belt Community Tennis Association will hold clinics for anyone from 5 years of age or older. A radar gun will be available to clock the speed of your serve. You can also practice with a ball machine. Short matches will be arranged for all levels of adult players (15 years and up), as well as pick-up games, where players rotate around and play with several groups.
Antique and classic vehicle display at Harmon Field
Antique and classic car, truck, and farm equipment owners are invited to bring their vehicles to the 80th Birthday Celebration of Harmon Field for display.
Law enforcement and emergency services
The Polk County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Polk County EMS and the Tryon Fire Department, will be at the celebration. K-9 drug searches will be simulated on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Sunday, the simulated searches will be at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. The police car, ambulance and fire truck will be available throughout the celebration.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross will provide blood pressure checks and information about health and ways to volunteer your help to the American Red Cross. Be sure to stop by and see them on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Hospice
Hospice of the Carolina Foothills will provide information and collect donations for Hospice House. The new 12-bed facility near Landrum will provide a pleasant and safe environment for those with terminal illness and provide support to their families.

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