It pays to Shop Brownsville!

It paid to shop at home for these lucky winners of the Shop Brownsville First Big Prize Give-A-Way. The campaign kicked-off December 4, with 20 local merchants participating. With every $10 purchase through December 22, residents were given a chance to win one of three big prizes; a 40" flat screen TV, an E-reader and his and her Citizen watches. Winners were drawn at noon, December 23, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. Pictured with their prizes are (from left) Julie Taylor, Lori Hatcher and Santia Taylor. This is the second year for the event sponsored by the Brownsville Business Association.

Trick or Treat with Me a Huge Success

This year marked the fourth year for Brownsville businesses to offer Trick or Treat with Me; and it was the biggest by far. Reports came in of over 1,000 kids in the downtown area between 4 - 7 p.m. Adding to this year's excitement was the addition of a remote broadcast by Brownsville Radio of the event and the donation of Trick or Treat bags by Insouth Bank and Brownsville Utilities. But probably the most popular addition was a  Charity Trunk or Treat in the Brownsville Funeral Home parking lot where area residents were asked to set-up and pass out candy from the backs of their vehicles. Also on site was a huge bouncy house and slide obstacle course. Each vehicle payed a small fee with proceeds going to the March of Dimes. Special thanks to all the merchants and residents who participated and made Halloween a real  "treat" for Haywood County children this year!

Here are some of the fun pictures taken by Brownsville Radio's Carlton Veirs.

Polly the Panda made a guest appearance at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center for Trick or Treat with Me.  The staff had a great time dressing up and greeting all the kid's.

Trick or Treat with Me is presented annually by the Brownsville Business Association.

4th Annual Holiday in Haywood November 11-12

Shoppers at Holiday in Haywood will have lots to choose from this year, including personalized items such as coffee mugs, license plates, t-shirts and ornaments. The annual event will take place November 11-12, at the National Guard Armory in Brownsville, Tenn.

Those looking for special bargains and unique holiday gift items will have the perfect opportunity during the 4th Annual Holiday in Haywood 2-day shopping mart planned for November 11-12, in Brownsville, Tenn. “Holiday in Haywood” will feature over 25 retail and specialty merchants all under one roof and offering a variety of items perfect for your holiday gift giving. The event will take place at the National Guard Armory located at 221 Morgan Street.

New to this year’s event is the addition of Breakfast with Santa Saturday at 9 a.m. Hosted by First South Bank, tickets are $10 per child and include breakfast, a visit with Santa and an activity with Santa. All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the March of Dimes.

Families, individuals and groups are invited to have their Christmas portrait taken by a professional photographer Saturday. Appointments are encouraged to minimize wait time. Call Laura Bailey at 731-617-0535. Portraits will be available in time for gift giving or holiday cards. Pet portraits will also be taken.

“Last year over 1,000 people came through the doors during the event,” says Monica Bivens, Holiday in Haywood coordinator. “This year we’re expecting even more.”

Doors will open Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., giving shoppers plenty of time to make their choices. The Haywood High School Show Choir, along with other regional artists, will entertain shoppers during the evening hours.

Saturday at 11 a.m., the Haywood High School Cheerleaders will present a Fashion Show featuring items from participating retailers.

“The response from retailers has been wonderful,” explains Bivens, “and we are very confident in the variety and quality of the items that will be available.”

Among the many items for sale will be handmade quilts, handcrafted jewelry, all natural soaps and lotions, candles, homemade pies, cakes and other culinary goodies, roasted nuts, ladies and children’s clothing, toys and books, wood-crafted items and much more. There will also be a large selection of personalized gift items available including on-site monogramming.

“Holiday in Haywood” is sponsored annually by the Brownsville Business Association. For more information about the event contact Bivens at 731-772-4042, or visit www.ShopBrownsvilleTN.com.

"Trick or Treat with Me" October 31 from 4-7 p.m.

Local merchants participating in this year’s “Trick or Treat with Me” will be posting this sign on their windows and doors. The event is planned for Monday, October 31, from 4-7 p.m.

Brownsville and Haywood County merchants invite areas children to “Trick or Treat with Me” on Monday, October 31, from 4-7 p.m. The annual event is sponsored by the Brownsville Business Association (BBA) and has become a favorite among children and adults.

The event began in 2008 when BBA members recognized a need for a safer alternative to traditional trick or treating. By remaining open later and offering this service to the children, merchants feel that they are providing a safer environment for the young people of our community.

“The kids still get to experience the excitement of going door-to-door,” explains BBA President Albert Campbell, “and the parents have the piece of mind of knowing this is a lot safer than visiting homes and neighborhoods they are not familiar with.”

“Trick or Treat with Me” is open to children ages 12 and under and each child is encouraged to dress in his or her favorite costume. Parents will recognize participating merchants by the purple and orange “Trick or Treat with Me” poster in windows. Last year over 20 businesses stayed open for this special event.

For more information, or to sign-up your business to participate, contact the BBA at 731-780-5144 or e-mail: info@shopbrownsvilletn.com. Interested businesses should contact the BBA before October 15, 2011.

Cinco de Mayo HUGE Success

The Dance of the Old Men was one of the highlights of the evening.

May 5 is celebrated across the country as Cinco de Mayo. Brownsville added a twist to the celebration with its first Cinco de Mayo Heritage Celebration Thursday, May 5. Not only did we celebrate our Hispanic friends, but all of our heritages. The southside of the court square was blocked and crowds were estimated at 500-800 attendees who came out to enjoy the music and food. 

Winning artwork was displayed at the event.

Local school children were invited to participate in an art contest and over 100 entries were received. Winners were chosen in each school and ribbons were given out at the event. The winners are:

Anderson Early Childhood Center

1st - Ava Zelinski, age 6

2nd - Latia Hines, age 6

3rd  (tie) - Annie Thornton, age 6

3rd (tie) - Molly Nichols, age 6

Haywood Elementary School

1st - Elizabeth Kirby, 2^nd grade

2nd - Shantia Blakely, 2^nd grade

3rd - Vanessa Sadaval, 1^st grade

Sunny Hill School

1st - Eli Scifres, 6^th grade

2nd - Madie Taylor, 6^th grade

3rd - Victoria Shetler, 5^th grade

Haywood High School

1st - Anania Snipes, age 18

2nd (tie) - Josh Johnson, age 16

2nd (tie) - Derrick Wilson, age 16

3rd - Derick Cunningham, age 18

Hannah Company performs for the crowds.

Attendance was estimated at 500 - 800 people throughout the night. The event was from 6-9 p.m.

Jupiter Stone was the evenings headliner.

Clifton Smith and the Diverse Five also performed for the crowds. Smith is this year's Haywood's Got Talent winner.

Plans are already underway for next year's event. Special thanks to all the sponsors, the Brownsville Business Association and especially Vicky Cooper who worked hard to pull it all together.

April BBA Breakfast Announced

Everyone is invited to the monthly Brownsville Business Association Breakfast held the first Friday of each month at member businesses. April's event will be at Pat's Fabrics on Anderson Avenue, and will be hosted by Pat's Fabrics and Williams Insurance Agency. This is a great opportunity to network and get to know local business owners and managers. It is a come and go event and begins at 7:30 a.m. A Continental breakfast will be available along with coffee and juice.

Plans for Downtown Renovations

Mayor Webb Banks presented the plans for the court square renovations at the Brownsville Business Association Tuesday night, February 17, 2009. I had heard a lot about these plans and was anxious to see them. A few years ago there was talk of removing the fountain on the courthouse lawn. I threaten a sit-in and chaining myself to the fountain. Not that that would have done any good, but fortunately it did not come to that. While I have some mixed feelings about the choice of lighting style and the parking situation at the back of the courthouse, for now, my fountain is safe.

My biggest concern though is the projected date for beginning this project - August. Predictions are that it will take 3 months to complete. This time line puts construction happening during the Hatchie Fall Fest (October 17). So what happens with the festival? Will it have to be moved? Where?

Here's a larger picture of the plans and more details ....