09 LC 94
0169
House
Resolution 146
By:
Representatives Benton of the
31st
and England of the
108th
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
and recognizing the Hoschton Fall Festival Committee and the citizens of
Hoschton, Georgia, for setting a world record for the Most Scarecrows in One
Location; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Mayor Bill Copenhaver and lifelong resident Robbie Bettis cochaired the Hoschton
Fall Festival Committee composed of Chuck Cope, Chris Hoffman, Theresa Kenerly,
Leah Nelson, Nancy Rhodes, John Schulte, Richard Shepherd, Kristen Smith, Lisa
Stovall, Ray Vaughn, Tom Walden, and Mark Williams; and
WHEREAS,
the Hoschton Fall Festival Committee announced on May 12, 2008, that the city
would be attempting to earn a world record for the most scarecrows in one
location to be completed in time for the Fall Festival; and
WHEREAS,
the committee set a goal to have 4,000 scarecrows within the city limits of
Hoschton, Georgia, on September 1, 2008, and this goal was surpassed with an
amazing 5,441 scarecrows, earning the city a world record from the World Records
Academy; and
WHEREAS,
the scarecrow count of 5,441 was proudly verified by John Oxendine, State
Insurance Commissioner, and Shane Short, Executive Director of the Jackson
County Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS,
the committee worked valiantly advertising the Hoschton Fall Festival of
September 26 and 27, 2008, which resulted in a new record for attendance with
approximately 25,000 attendees; and
WHEREAS,
the citizens of Hoschton, Georgia, and the surrounding area, including mayors
from five other cities in Jackson County, came together with unbelievable
community spirit to produce a plethora of scarecrows;
and
WHEREAS, the local businesses, churches, organizations, schools, farms, and subdivisions joined in the effort, gathering to make and display the scarecrows; and
WHEREAS, the local businesses, churches, organizations, schools, farms, and subdivisions joined in the effort, gathering to make and display the scarecrows; and
WHEREAS,
the Hoschton Women's Civic Club, Hoschton First Baptist Church, Georgia Kids
Academy, Deer Creek Farms Subdivision, and Publix received recognition as having
the most scarecrows within their category; and
WHEREAS,
the local nonprofit organization known as Driving Magic, Inc., a group providing
therapeutic and recreational equine-assisted activities for children and adults
with developmental or physical disabilities or both, focusing on therapeutic
carriage driving and horsemanship programs for both ambulatory participants and
those needing wheelchair accessibility, received $1 for each of the first 1,000
scarecrows from Publix; and
WHEREAS,
the scarecrows received local, state, national, and international media coverage
with newspapers, radios, magazines, Internet sites, and television;
and
WHEREAS,
the scarecrows brought tourism to the City of Hoschton, the County of Jackson,
and the State of Georgia with thousands of photos and videos made by thousands
of people visiting the area to attend the festival, who now know the correct way
to pronounce "Hoschton."
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body commend the Hoschton Fall Festival Committee on its world record with
the Most Scarecrows in One Location, its worldwide recognition through media
coverage, and the enormous contribution this effort made to the local
economy.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Mayor of
Hoschton, Bill Copenhaver.