"Crazy Daze" in Winnsboro

by
Maryann Miller

To add some fun to the "3rd Friday Arts Festival in Winnsboro Lyndi McCulloch, who owns the wonderful kitchen store Ladles to Linens came up with the idea of having special events for the weekend. Other local merchants thought that was a great idea, and Janice Schma, of Burton Star Properties that owns The Leaves apartments in Winnsboro, suggested the merchants form a Shopping Cart Drill Team.

If you haven't seen the performances yet, come to Winnsboro the 3rd Friday in July. They perform at the Depot parking lot at 2 and 5:30.

According to Marilyn Arnaud of Art & Espresso Coffeeshop, the idea of the drill team was brought up at a Main Street meeting. "Since I am on the Main Street Program Board as the Promotions Chairperson, I thought it would be something I could attempt to promote," she said. "And after speaking with a few key people, we decided to go for it."

Marilyn said she liked the idea from the start because it " is a wonderful opportunity for all of our merchants to participate in a joint community effort. The Drill Team is a group of local merchants having fun, while generously giving of their time to support our community."

For the 3rd Friday in June, the drill team collected food for the new Winnsboro Community Resource Center. The merchants took the carts up and down the streets collecting items, and Marilyn had a donation box at the coffee shop for the week prior. They collected three baskets full of food and were pleased to be able to make that kind of contribution.

Marilyn and Susan Thames, (L) who is one of the baristas working at the shop, also entered into the spirit of fun for the day by wearing some fun hats. One of their regular customers, Glynda Willis made Susan's hat, which was decorated with flowers and money. Marilyn bought hers at an antique shop, "because it was crazy looking and seemed perfect for Crazy Daze. The whole point is to have fun, and it is great when the customers join in. Glynda wanted to make the hat for Susan just to do it." Marilyn is pictured below with Diane Rhoades, who owns Morning Glory Mall and is one of those regular customers who likes to have fun.

The festival weekends and Crazy Daze have been successful for downtown merchants and Marilyn said they are encouraged by the fact that more Winnsboro people are shopping in Winnsboro. "We've got a great city and great stores and restaurants and we need to support that."

For the July 3rd Friday, the merchants will focus on recycling and Marilyn hopes to be able to have a truck at the Depot parking lot where folks can drop off items like paper, plastic, and cardboard that can be recycled. "This is the same weekend the Art Center is having their Green Art workshops for kids," Marilyn said. "So we are happy to be connecting to another organization in town. It is important that we be working together."

In each of the coming months, the drill team will be performing and taking up different collections to benefit various charities. And they are looking for additional members. " Another four would be great," Marilyn said, "However the more the merrier. All we ask, is that you give of your time for a little practice, performance time on the 3rd Friday of each month and the will to have good clean fun in public."

The drill team will continue as long as the Festival continues, and they are considering performing the last time at the Christmas Parade.

Marilyn said she would like to thank all who participated in the June event, especially Winnsboro Mayor Carolyn Jones for filling in for one of the team. She also wanted to send out a special thanks to John and Stacy Morgan at JEB Sales, for donating t-shirts and banners for the team members. And she encourages everyone to come out in July and "just have fun."