Cauli Le Chat

Cauli Le Chat
Cauli Le Chat, MPL Feline Roving Reporter

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Four-Legged Grand Marshall Would Be Pawsome!

The Old Settlers parade, picnic, and fair (or festival) happens every year at the beginning of August.  Except for one year during World War II, the gathering of townsfolk from Mooresville, Indiana and the surrounding townships of Morgan County has transpired annually since 1870.  For all intents and purposes, it is the oldest continuously-held annual town-sponsored event in Indiana.  It was the social event of the year.  You did not miss it, if you lived anywhere close by.

Old Settlers Picnic (1885)

1970 Candidates in the Rocking Chair Competition
(an Old Settlers Tradition)

This year (2011), Old Settlers will be held on August 7-8-9 at Pioneer Park, which is situated along Indianapolis Road across from the United Methodist Church.  To review more about Old Settlers, try my Library's Indiana Room blog postings--click here and here and here and here and here and . . .  Well, you get the idea.  Old Settlers is a really big deal around here.

1980 Old Settlers Queen
Laura Fry

My Library's own Laura James, née Fry, whom I call Queen Settler, and who works in our Circulation Department, was Queen at the 1980 Old Settlers Picnic/Fair/Festival/Big Bash.  That, my friends, is an honor few have earned.  It is the proverbial big deal.  She should be deservedly proud, even though it happened a gazillion years ago.

Mooresville High School Marching Band
During the 1979 Old Settlers Parade

Old Settlers starts with the parade, beginning at Mooresville High School along Indiana Street south to the center of downtown, turning east onto Main Street and then following the route of old State Road 67 onto Indianapolis Road and then to Pioneer Park.  The Mooresvillian of the Year, which is awarded by the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce, is the Grand Marshall in the following Old Settlers Parade.  This is a perfectly fine selection, and I don't wish to take anything away from this honor that is rightfully deserved, but I think there should be a four-legged Grand Marshall, too.  It should be a critter that has brought fame to our fair community and who represents the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and accomplishment.  Any candidates come to mind?



A Totally "Pawsome" Choice for Four-Legged Grand Marshall
at the Old Settlers Parade


The Morgan County (Indiana) Fair happens July 29 through August 6, 2011.  I seem to recall selection of a county fair queen.  I think a four-legged queen should also be selected, and it should be Morgan the Library Bunny.  Paws down, no question, it oughtta be a done deal already.  Make it so, 4-H fair organizers.

If the Old Settlers organizers don't want to add a four-legged grand marshall for the parade, then maybe there should be a four-legged queen for the fair itself.  Not to put too fine a point on it, but I am available.  Another, funnier choice would be Scowl-Face in a dress, down on all fours--make him bark like a slobberdog!  Who wouldn't pay money to see that?  I know I would.  It would set attendance records, I'll wager.




Sort of an Old Settler Myself,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Town Festivals News Beat


P.S.  Here is one of my Library's book trailers, this one featuring Pioneer Cat, by William H. Hooks (Charles Robinson, illustrator).  The book embodies the pioneer spirit of 19th century settlers, such as those who put down roots in my hometown.


P.P.S.  Our musical closer is "Old Settlers" (2010) (music written by the Music Man; lyrics by Scowl-Face and The Lady With the Red Hair), featured here in one of my Library's local history videos.

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