Rain Friday night and Saturday did put a damper on the level of activity at the annual Marketville, sponsored by the Southern Standard and held Saturday. Over 100 vendors were registered to attend the event at Warren County Fairgrounds, but many changed their plans because of the weather.
Excitement did prevail at the Marketville Car Show, held in the midway area, with several cars, trucks and one motorcycle braving the weather. Many were there to witness the unveiling of the 2015 Ford Mustang, provided by Kidd Ford.
As the bright, red 50th-anniversary edition was driven out of the trailer, the audience oohed, causing many to covet the beautiful vehicle.
“This car needs to be in my garage,” said Haskall Greer. “I have a 2007 convertible GT Mustang that I love, but this one is very nice and has a sleek design.”
According to Kidd Ford owner Terry Kidd, the new model is produced in Flat Rock, Mich., and is the first one offered globally. It will be manufactured for right or left-side driving. Ford did considerable research for the car, upgrading technology and making it more economical. It comes with a four- or six- cylinder ecoboost engine, and comes in a five-speed or automatic transmission.
“We were so proud and happy to be able to bring the car to McMinnville,” said Kidd. “In fact this is the only public viewing outside of a car show.”
Parked beside the 2015 model was Chris Hennessee’s 1965 Mustang, spanning 50 years of Ford history. Hennessee purchased the car almost 20 years ago, and recalls it was not in good condition.
“The restoration took a long time because it was not in the best of shape when I got it,” said Hennessee. “It has been completely redone and I love it.”
Several Mustang shirts, mugs and posters were awarded as door prices, and many were sold at a discounted rate, with proceeds going to Kids of the Community. Several of the children and their sponsors were on hand making the sales and viewing the cars.
While all the vendors did not brave the weather, those who did seemed to have a good time, selling items during breaks in the rain.
Partners Heather Williamson and Joshell Simmons’ booth was filled with craft items, repurposed furniture and other merchandise.
“The way we look at it, we can’t control the weather,” said Williamson. “So you just have to make the best of the situation.”
It was their first visit to Marketville, and there was a lot of interest in their booth with them finding new uses for old items. For instance, they had made a side table using an antique suitcase painted red for the top.
Kettle corn is always a hit at any event, and Marketville was no exception. Phillip Ray and Amy Smith, with Log Cabin Kettle Corn, stayed dry in their rolling replica log cabin. They had a brisk business selling their sweet corn.
“We are having a blast and enjoying ourselves tremendously,” said Ray. “We have had a great time and met some wonderful people.”
They are experimenting some with their corn varieties, offering a cinnamon flavored corn at the event, and planning a cocoa, honey mustard and cherry flavors coming soon.
“These weren’t the best conditions to have an outdoor event,” said Standard publisher Patricia Zechman. “But considering the circumstances, we are pleased with the support for this, our fourth annual event. We enjoyed sunny skies at our previous three so I guess we were bound to run into some rain sooner or later.”
Zechman said turnout for the car show was probably hurt the most.
“We received several calls from out-of-town car groups who planned to make the trip but didn’t end up coming when they saw the weather,” said Zechman. “However, those who braved the rainy conditions got a special treat in viewing the beautiful red 50th anniversary edition of the American classic Ford Mustang. Terry Kidd and his staff at Kidd Ford worked a bit of magic for this community in bringing such an amazing vehicle to Warren County. We appreciate their hard work on behalf of Marketville as well as that of the vendors and event-goers who didn’t let a rainy day dampen their enthusiasm for witnessing such an extraordinary unveiling.
Zechman says the annual event continues to enjoy popularity and plans are to proceed full speed ahead for the fifth annual Marketville next year.