Old Timers' Day is This Saturday

The anticipation is almost over… it’s finally TIME for OLD TIMERS’ DAY!

The annual Old Timers’ Day event in Collinwood is this Saturday, August 30, 2025. Ralph Hughes Park and the streets of Collinwood will be packed with people of all ages, not just “old timers.” The Collinwood Beautification Board and the City of Collinwood have been working hard for several months to prepare for this awesome day.

Something new this year was the Miss Old Timers’ Day pageant, which was held on Sunday, August 24. The lovely winners from the pageant will participate in the Old Timers’ Day parade, which begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Lineup for the parade will be from 9:00 until 9:30 a.m. at the Collinwood Recreation Building. The parade will be led by the Collinwood American Legion Post 254. Mr. and Mrs. Old Timers’ Day, Danny and Gina Sandusky, will proudly help to lead the parade as well. Of course, there will again be plenty of emergency vehicles, horses, tractors, and old-fashioned wagons in the parade. Anyone with questions about the parade may call Debie Pigg, 931-722-4514.

McGlamery Church’s booth at the park will be the first stop for many on Saturday. They will once again be preparing a delicious breakfast you don’t want to miss!

As the festivities at the park begin, Lisa Calton will perform her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. The invocation will be offered by Collinwood Mayor Glenn Brown, and Chuck Koblentz, Glenn Brown, and Peggy Chambers will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

After the parade, students and staff from the Collinwood schools will take the stage at Ralph Hughes Park to introduce Collinwood cheerleaders, band members, basketball players, football players, baseball/softball players, and members of the CHS Bass Team. Coaches will recognize all students who are present at the festivities. Members of the Collinwood Beautification Board are sending a special shoutout to CHS Principal Jennifer Vandiver, Vice Principal Kala Abernathy, and all the students for their support. “They participate in all events organized by the Board and deserve to be recognized,” said Peggy Chambers.

Emcee for the day’s events will be Mr. Chuck Koblentz, our locally famous DJ and owner of WWON Big Oldies in Waynesboro.

There will be a car show following the Old Timers’ Day Parade, set to begin around 1:00 p.m. Signup for the car show will be during the parade. For more information, contact Debie Pigg at 931-722-4514.

Lots of vendors have signed up for the event, including the Collinwood American Legion. They will have hamburgers and hot dogs at their booth. Other vendors will have barbecue, Tupperware, knives, soaps, candles, fish plates, woodworking, face painting, lemonade, and much more. Collinwood Church of God will have a watermelon eating contest at 11:00 a.m. Different churches will offer free water to everyone on what will most likely be a hot and humid Tennessee day.

The Old Timers’ Day musical performances are set to begin at around 12:00 noon. The great entertainment will kick off with the Collinwood Church of God Ladies’ Choir, followed by Mike Pelham, Aly Wilson, and Jamie Hinson. The final musical performance of the day will be Jonah and the Whalers.

Past vendors must reserve their booths if they plan to participate again this year. Anyone interested in being a vendor must call Peggy Chambers as soon as possible at 931-212-9016 to reserve a space. Vendor setup will be on Friday, August 29, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Vendor hours for Saturday will be from 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. All vehicles must be out of the park by 8:00 a.m., and there will be no re-entry into the park before 5:00 p.m.

Just a reminder from the Collinwood Beautification Board…Pullin’ in the Wood is coming up on September 5th and 6th! More information on the truck and tractor pull will be in next week’s Wayne County News.

These last few weeks of summer are Collinwood’s time to shine, and everyone is invited to come on over and enjoy the festivities!