Downtown Marshall NCThe Creative Life on the River

Dog Daze was a RESOUNDING SUCCESS!!  Everyone that I have talked to that night and since then has said how much fun they had and how well it went. 

KUDOS to the committee for all their hard work.  The primary members were:  Diane Van Helden, Lois Simbach, Danni Iosello, Randi Howell, and Virginia Schmidt.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Also, a huge thanks to the maker’s of dog beds for the silent auction!  (Bucky Parker wins the prize for being the first to turn his in, Tim Hurley, Mike Stevenson, Richard McCracken, Lois Simbach, Lee Walker and yours truly spent many hours making a wide variety of beds).  The proceeds from the auction brought roughly $850 to Friends (yay!) and the flea boutique brought in another $150, so it was a nice, $1,000 fundraiser for the local non-profit.

Marshall Family Pharmacy really got into the Dog Daze event!

Pictures:  Several people took pictures at the event - as good ones come in, I’ll get them uploaded here as well.  I had my camera with me, but didn’t get too many pictures as I was busy handing out 25 prizes for the various winners and 60 bandanas for all dogs that were entered into a contest.  Debbie from Marshall Family Pharmacy had one dog dressed as a hot dog (not a daschund) and another as a hamburger. 

Banjo Austin seemed very non-chalant about winning the floppiest ears contest!

Dog Contest prizes were provided by Mountain Tails Pet Supplies, Weaverville Pet Pantry, TJ’s Mountain Market, Fiddlestix, Ponder Cove B&B and Madison Dry Cleaners. 

I don't think he'll forgive me for this!!

I’m not sure if Joe Penland knew what he was getting into when he agreed to serve as the emcee for the dog contests but he certainly did a great job!!

 There were a lot of people with dogs all sitting in a nice semi-circle with the dog contests area in the middle (might be nice when we get the stage, eh?).  Anyway, my husband (Rick) always gets the “fun jobs” like when I handed him the camera and asked that he go up to the second floor to get a picture to show the crowd of people (sorry about thos trees in the way!).

Several people participated in the “paint your own pottery” opportunity.  The raw bisque pieces were brought up to Marshall from Fired Up! of Asheville.  Emily Reason glazed and fired the pieces and they can be seen and/or picked up at Zuma (I loved the bobble-head dog one!)

Pooch parade pictures – - need to find some!  Marshall Family Pharmacy decorated their truck and led the parade with Mayor Lawrence Ponder following with a FABULOUS wolf hat on (I saw him the next day and I think he was still wearing it!!)

Downtown Marshall was a haven for Mermaids, Pirates and Sea Creatures on Friday!!  Mayor Lawrence Ponder and musician Steve Davidowski led the Mermaid Parade thru a wedding rehearsal dinner and all thru downtown.  Prizes were given to the best adult and best child mermaid costumes, as well as best pirate and sea creatures (no sailors participated…..).

Additionally, we had 2 environmental statements:  one for the BP oil crisis and the other was for the big floating mass of plastic in the ocean (I hear it’s bigger than the state of Texas……why is this not making the news in a big way?!?!?!?).

The weather had threatened to turn nasty, but fortunately held off.  The concert started with a sound check of Mustang Sally blaring from the courthouse steps and then at about 9pm Michael Cody and the Original Sugar Daddy Band started up and rocked until about 11:30.  Michael played several of his own songs, much to the delight of those who have been fans of his since his early rockin’ days in Madison County with the White Water Band. 

July 9th will be the next French Broad Friday event with the theme of Bike-A-Licious.  Pistol Creek and the Catch of the Day is lined up for a return to Marshall (they were here last year for Bike-A-licious).  Hope to have another great crowd in downtown Marshall!

Plans are all in place for the 3rd annual “Mermaids in Marshall” French Broad Friday event.  Festivities begin on the Island at 6:30 with face painting, games, pictures and getting in the Mermaid mood with reggae music.  Lots of folks have been talking about costumes being made over the last week or two…..maybe they want to win the costume contest???

 The Mermaid, Pirates and Sailors Parade will start at 7:30 with a run thru the auditorium of Marshall High Studios, then we’ll head over the bridge to the “mainland” making a left at the courthouse, down to Lapland Bookshop & Arts, and then head down to Good Stuff where we’ll have the costume contest (around 8pm).  Beads and bubbles will be provided to parade participants (while supplies last) to wear, throw and blow…..so there isn’t any confusion, participants wear the beads, throw the beads and blow the bubbles….

Be sure to stop by the soft opening of “Flow” from 5 to 9pm.  Located in the former Firewalker Gallery space featuring local ceramics, body scents – lotions and potions, clothing, textiles and jewelry.

Suzanna Biro and Mary Maupin of Hill Street Studios will be open from 5 to 9pm….stop on by and see their fabulous work.  The studios are located on the second floor of the building that is on the corner of Hill and Main Streets (enter the back door at the rear of the building)

 Zuma Coffee is having a gallery opening from 6pm to 7:30pm for Seeing Through the Eyes of a Hummingbird by photographer and Madison County resident Connie Toops.

The Depot: Traditional country, bluegrass, & mountain music, dancing, a cakewalk, and more starting at 7pm.

 Penland Department Store, one of the town icons, will stay open until 9pm.  Stop in and pick up something while you’re in town!!

 Bacchus Bistro will have a special menu for Friday evening featuring Local Trout,  Wild Sockeye Salmon and BBQ Pork.  Serving from 5 until 10pm.

Check out the new and used books and regional art in a storybook setting on the French Broad River at Lapland Bookshop & Arts.  Store will stay open until 8pm.

In addition to now serving food at Good Stuff (kitchen will be open until 10pm), they’re running a “Mermaids in Marshall” $2.50 special for SweetWater 420 Beer.  Also, Peace Jones from Asheville will begin playing immediately following the costume contest.

Carriage Rides will be available (weather permitting) from Worley’s Farrier & Carriage Service starting at 6pm and going until 9.  There isn’t a fee for the ride, but tips are very welcome!!

 And the headliner for the evening, Michael Cody with Special Guests, the Sugar Daddy Band.  Starting at 9pm in a NEW VENUE!  We’ve moved the band to play on the courthouse porch instead of the SECU parking lot, taking advantage of the courthouse lawn.  Bring your lawn chairs, but also plan to be up dancing!