The Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival is annually a huge homecoming extravaganza for many people who have grown up in the Land of Logan. Not only do many high school classes hold their reunions, but many who have lived in Russellville, Adairville, Auburn, Lewisburg, Olmstead and Chandlers along with parts in between return year after year.
The Logan Journal offered an opportunity for many of them to comment on their thoughts following this year’s gathering. These three were among those who responded.
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Susan Hindman Watson
For me, years, even decades, have passed since I have been back to Russellville for the Tobacco Festival festivities. This year I decided it was time to reconnect face to face with old friends and hopefully familiar faces from my childhood.
What a fantastic time we had with slumber parties, lunches, the parade and football game, and sitting up talking late into the night as if we were still those young , innocent girls of yester-year. It was also wonderful to catching up about our children, grandchildren, jobs, and current homes.
Looking back, haven't we been fortunate to have grown up in such an amazing little town as Russellville, and in a time that offered such a carefree way of living? I enjoyed every minute of my visit, and will make every effort to get back a lot moreoften in the future. I guess that old saying is true, "you can take the girl out of Kentucky, but you can't take Kentucky out of the girl."
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Susan Neal Clapp
I once heard Ashley Judd say in an interview that she often “pined” for Kentucky, and I knew right away what she meant. The people, the landscape, and the history are so much a part of me.
Growing up in Logan County in the sixties provided so many freedoms—freedom to play outside from dawn to dusk with friends who knew you and had your back, freedom to learn from teachers who cared about you in and out of school, and freedom to explore unlimited possibilities for your future. Coming home for the Tobacco Festival provides an opportunity to recall those precious times and renew lifelong friendships with those I hold so dear.
Nelson Weaver
The Tobacco Festival is the annual Logan County event that brings us back to our roots. Those of us who moved away see Russellville with a biographical eye. Nothin
It feels good to go home because everyone knows your story. Your friends decided to love you a long time ago and they aren't going to change their minds at this late date. Most of the people who didn't like you can't remember why and are prone to say, "hello" when you pass them on the street. The Tobacco Festival gives us the chance to go back and be a resident for the day. To look backword; live in the moment; and, look forward; all at the same time. Going home is always good if you have been away for awhile.
The Tobacco Festival is our "Homecoming" event. I appreciate the hard work of all those who make it possible.