The annual Colonial Days festival brought a piece of American history to Brownwood Paddock Square on a sunny Friday afternoon.
Marcille Wallis & Friends at The Dog Trot Porch played music periodically throughout the festival as visitors walked through the busy streets occupied by more than 20 different Villages clubs.
Most vendor stands around the square were designed to be a colonial shop. For instance, there was the Ye Olde Beading Shop, Ye Olde Quilting Shop and the Ye Olde Woodworking Shop. Many onlookers watched club members of their respective groups work on their crafts, from quilting to woodwork.
Protected from the bright sun, many attendees walked through a market that was placed under a big tent as they browsed through items sold.
At 2 p.m., the eagerly anticipated Villages Twirlers and Drum Corps put on a performance as they marched into the square. Despite the sun beating down, the twirlers performed tricks as they tossed and twirled flaming batons.
The audience burst out in applause as an event announcer commented on how the event happened at the right day during the inauguration of our new president.
However, George Washington impressionist Paul Holtermann said that the inauguration might have kept some people from attending the event as he has seen larger crowds before. His wife, Barbara, who dressed up as Martha Washington, said that she knows more people will come throughout the day.
The Village of Mallory Square couple have been attending the event dressed up as George and Martha Washington for three years now and enjoy it.
The John Bartram Daughters of the American Revolution placed a stand at the event to invite women to join and find a patriot in their family.
Tommyeann Belch, member of the group, said it was wonderful to have a day to celebrate the country’s early colonial roots. Belch said coming from North Carolina, her family’s roots are full of patriots and soldiers who fought in the American Revolution.
As the event went on, many people of all ages strolled around the square taking pictures with historical figures and stilt walkers dressed up in colonial outfits.
