(Aug. 10, 2017) Pleasant weather and a record crowd highlighted the 19th annual Blessing of the Combines, last Saturday.
Former Snow Hill Councilman Michael Pruitt was impressed by the strong turnout.
“They’re supporting the farmers and that’s what this is all about, but they’re also supporting the town of Snow Hill,” he said. “We look forward to this event every year and the Payne family has done an extraordinary job.”
Organizer Becky Payne said although precise attendance figures are difficult to calculate, the crowd likely eclipsed last year’s estimated 3,200 attendees.
“I have no idea what kind of numbers we had,” she said. “All I know is there was more people and it was the largest one that we’ve ever had.”
Payne noted the conventional wisdom about heat issues during the parade didn’t apply this year.
“Usually I tell everybody it’s going to be the hottest day of the year,” she said. “But this year we couldn’t say that, as it turned out it was just a beautiful day.”
Snow Hill resident Chris Harkai marveled at the capacity crowd.
“I have no scientific basis, but it seems a lot larger than the prior couple years,” he said. “It seems like there are more food options this year, which is good.”
Snow Hill Police Chief Tom Davis said the event went off without a hitch.
“Reports are that this is the best-attended combine since they started this,” he said. “The crowd is great, it’s great weather and it has a very patriotic, small-town feel.”
Michael Day, Snow Hill economic development consultant, said Mother Nature could not have provided a more idyllic climate setting with temperatures in the 80s with a constant, steady breeze.
“A couple people have said it’s the largest crowd we’ve had,” he said. “There’s no way estimate it as far as we know.”
Jake Blakelock, an incoming junior at Snow Hill High School who volunteered with the children’s barnyard activities, said he has been attending the annual affair since his youth. The huge throng milling among the large farm equipment also took him aback.
“It’s a whole lot more kids than last year,” he said. “And I see a lot of old people, which is good.”
Although no accidents occurred, Davis said there was one scary moment during the parade.
“We had one mom … she let her little 2-year-old child run right in front and go feel the tire of one of the massive combines while it was moving in the parade,” he said. “That’s super seriously unsafe.”
Davis advised spectators to avoid cutting through the parade.
“People need to be aware these things don’t stop on a dime and they should keep their kids away until they’re on display,” he said. “Once they’re parked, it’s safe.”
Payne said a few new wrinkles were added to this year’s festivities.
“Down near the river we had the ‘Wheels That Heal’ car show,” she said. “We also put a bounce house down for the children and had free pony rides.”
The Wheels That Heal Car Club was founded in 2003. Since then, the nonprofit has organized numerous car shows to benefit local charities and families in need.
“That money is donated for folks that cannot pay their medical bills, and the club helps them out,” Payne said.
As the Blessing of the Combines event approaches its 20th anniversary in 2018, Payne said the parade never fails to elicit emotions.
“The feelings go deep when they first see the horse-drawn combine come across the bridge,” she said. “Even after 19 years of seeing the parade, I still get emotional when I see that equipment come across and knowing what the farmers go through.”
Payne said the 20th annual Blessing of the Combines would take place next year, as per tradition, on the first Saturday in August.
Former Snow Hill Councilman Michael Pruitt was impressed by the strong turnout.
“They’re supporting the farmers and that’s what this is all about, but they’re also supporting the town of Snow Hill,” he said. “We look forward to this event every year and the Payne family has done an extraordinary job.”
Organizer Becky Payne said although precise attendance figures are difficult to calculate, the crowd likely eclipsed last year’s estimated 3,200 attendees.
“I have no idea what kind of numbers we had,” she said. “All I know is there was more people and it was the largest one that we’ve ever had.”
Payne noted the conventional wisdom about heat issues during the parade didn’t apply this year.
“Usually I tell everybody it’s going to be the hottest day of the year,” she said. “But this year we couldn’t say that, as it turned out it was just a beautiful day.”
Snow Hill resident Chris Harkai marveled at the capacity crowd.
“I have no scientific basis, but it seems a lot larger than the prior couple years,” he said. “It seems like there are more food options this year, which is good.”
Snow Hill Police Chief Tom Davis said the event went off without a hitch.
“Reports are that this is the best-attended combine since they started this,” he said. “The crowd is great, it’s great weather and it has a very patriotic, small-town feel.”
Michael Day, Snow Hill economic development consultant, said Mother Nature could not have provided a more idyllic climate setting with temperatures in the 80s with a constant, steady breeze.
“A couple people have said it’s the largest crowd we’ve had,” he said. “There’s no way estimate it as far as we know.”
Jake Blakelock, an incoming junior at Snow Hill High School who volunteered with the children’s barnyard activities, said he has been attending the annual affair since his youth. The huge throng milling among the large farm equipment also took him aback.
“It’s a whole lot more kids than last year,” he said. “And I see a lot of old people, which is good.”
Although no accidents occurred, Davis said there was one scary moment during the parade.
“We had one mom … she let her little 2-year-old child run right in front and go feel the tire of one of the massive combines while it was moving in the parade,” he said. “That’s super seriously unsafe.”
Davis advised spectators to avoid cutting through the parade.
“People need to be aware these things don’t stop on a dime and they should keep their kids away until they’re on display,” he said. “Once they’re parked, it’s safe.”
Payne said a few new wrinkles were added to this year’s festivities.
“Down near the river we had the ‘Wheels That Heal’ car show,” she said. “We also put a bounce house down for the children and had free pony rides.”
The Wheels That Heal Car Club was founded in 2003. Since then, the nonprofit has organized numerous car shows to benefit local charities and families in need.
“That money is donated for folks that cannot pay their medical bills, and the club helps them out,” Payne said.
As the Blessing of the Combines event approaches its 20th anniversary in 2018, Payne said the parade never fails to elicit emotions.
“The feelings go deep when they first see the horse-drawn combine come across the bridge,” she said. “Even after 19 years of seeing the parade, I still get emotional when I see that equipment come across and knowing what the farmers go through.”
Payne said the 20th annual Blessing of the Combines would take place next year, as per tradition, on the first Saturday in August.