'Tasty' time in downtown Newnan
By JOHN A. WINTERS
john@newnan.com
If you went hungry Thursday, it was your own fault.
There was more food in downtown Newnan than the biggest church social pot-luck. In fact, the hardest part was figuring what to try.
Hundreds came out to sample what some of the best local restaurants and caterers had to offer. Tommy Anderson and Kimani Adams were among the dozens of vendors offering tastes.
“I’ve been coming for about five years,” Anderson said, who’s with BJ’s. “It’s just been great.”
On the menu — turkey burgers, grilled portabella mushrooms and shrimp sauteed in a mango-peach marinade.
But it wasn’t all about food.
There was live music provided by “Among” and “Sons n Britches,” who performed on the entertainment stage set up on West Broad Street. Carnival rides for youngsters were set up in a Kidz Zone on West Washington Street.
“This year we decided to set up tables and chairs on West Broad so that after people have gotten their ‘tastes’ they can sit down and enjoy their food or just sit and enjoy the entertainment,” said JoAnn Gentry, Newnan’s new Main Street manager this week. “We hope this gives more room for people to stop at each booth and not only sample the foods but get a chance to meet some of the vendors.”
Five-year-old Hannah Weller was one of the first in line to get her face painted, what she called her “favorite thing.”
“This was our first stop,” said her dad, Tommy Weller. “We’ve learned — the lines get longer later in the evening.”
The annual Taste of Newnan kicks off the celebration of Georgia Cities Week, which starts next week with the theme of “The Magic of Cities.” The observance is sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association to celebrate cities and their contribution to providing quality of life for residents and businesses.
As part of that, a free kids magic show is planned at the Wadsworth Auditorium April 28 at 3 p.m. Magician Ken Scott will be on hand to present the Magic of Cities. Ken Scott has more than 20 years of experience, performing more than 350 shows a year. He has entertained more than a million people with his unique cutting edge programs, including at the White House and on ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”
The magic event at Wadsworth is free, but those planning to attend will need to pick up tickets at the Newnan Carnegie Library downtown, City Hall or Scott’s Bookstore and reserve a spot.
Also as part of the week’s observance, a special event, “The Magic of Newnan,” will be held at the Carnegie on Tuesday, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Carnegie is located at 1 LaGrange Street, downtown.
The Carnegie program will be kicked off by Mayor Keith Brady, and various departments such as Public Information, Police, Fire, Planning and Zoning, Keep Newnan Beautiful, Main Street, and Newnan Center and city commissions, such as Youth Council and Cultural Arts, will be represented.
Several of Newnan’s cultural non-profits are participating. Highlighting their activities, which also provide enrichment and quality of life for the residents of Newnan, are Newnan-Coweta Arts Association, the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society, Newnan Theatre Company, Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation, New Leaf Community Garden, and the Coweta Extension Service Master Gardeners.
Several local businesses are supporting this event with door prizes and refreshments. Main Street Newnan will have a free drawing for a basket of goodies from participating downtown merchants.
