In 1977, the state of Georgia

launched the Government Project Competition Program in an effort to get

towns and their citizens involved.

The question for the town of Tyrone was what to get the community involved

in. The answer was Tyrone Founders Day, and this year marks the 24th annual

celebration of the event.

In its first year, the celebration drew 100 people. There was a street

dance, a teen contest, arts and crafts, awards for citizens of the year

and the creation of the town flag. In 1998, the now two-day event drew

10,000 people. The festival now features a beauty pageant, a carnival,

a junior high and adult dance, arts and crafts, a road race, a parade,

commercial exhibits, an ice cream eating contest, fireworks, entertainment

and much, much more.

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 14 and running through Sunday, Sept. 17, the

carnival features rides and games along the midway and a one-price ticket

for $9 is available for Thursday or Sunday by calling 770-487-1790 or

770-487-4038.

There will be a junior high dance under the big tent at Shamrock Park

from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15. The adult dance will be the following

evening from 7-11.

Saturday's festivities start early with a walk down Palmetto and Arrowwood

Roads at 7:45 a.m. The road race down Castlewood and Briarwood Roads begins

at 8 a.m. For entry information in the road race, visit www.tyrone.org

or call 770-487-4038. The arts and crafts, commercial exhibits and food

stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Shamrock park and the entertainment

begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 11 p.m.

The parade, which begins at Senoia Road and travels down Castlewood Road,

begins at 2 p.m. This years theme is "From Mother Goose to Dr. Seuss,

Children's Classics on the Loose." It is one of the county's largest

parades and a surprise visit from Mother Goose will highlight the parade.

Awards for the best float, extreme teen and citizens of the year will

be presented at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. There will also be a fireworks display

on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.

A kids corner and art show

will be both Saturday and Sunday. The kids corner will feature activities

for toddlers and children on the ball field, including face painting,

stories from Mother Goose and a moon walk. The art show will feature work

from students from Tyrone and Burch Elementary School and will be displayed

at the festival site.

Sunday's fun begins with "A Taste of Tyrone" at 1 p.m. The community

is invited to taste entries in categories ranging from "fast and

fabulous desserts and treats" to "casual snacks and appetizers."

This is followed by an ice cream eating contest at 2 p.m., which is sponsored

3 p.m. and will feature games, story telling, magic and more.

Tyrone Founders Day gets bigger and better each and every year and this

year is no exception. There will also be a shuttle that can take people

from Founders Day activities to the Shakerag Festival in Peachtree City.

For information on any of these events, visit www.tyrone.org or call 770-487-4038.

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