The town employees got a well deserved Easter break this past weekend, continuing a tradition which I began in 2006.

The entire town staff assembled in the fire hall to be treated to grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings. After the meal there were door prize drawings for lucky ticket holders with rookie police officer Ira Greene winning a beautiful Easter lily and others claiming baskets and Easter trinkets.

The employees were then excused from work for the afternoon and were off Friday as well. A well deserved break for outstanding and dedicated employees.

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Saturday’s beautiful weather proved to be the magnet which drew large crowds of shoppers to the reopening of our flea market.

A dozen vendors provided a wide selection of items to the bargain hunters who milled around their displays. Popular merchandise were clothes, hardware, and home furnishings.

The grass lawn of the town museum added a natural backdrop to the occasion which took on a family gathering look throughout the morning. With its location at the northern entrance into the downtown commercial district the flea market attracted many customers who were driving by.

It will continue each Saturday at 7 a.m. There is no fee for vendors to set up.

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Later on Saturday, 50 senior citizens gathered at the town fire hall to enjoy bingo, refreshments, and hunt for prizes hidden in Easter eggs.

The bingo sessions have been occurring monthly on the 1st Saturday since October of 2006. Hilda Hubbard won a prize for the best Easter bonnet, and four other seniors received cash prizes for finding hidden markings inside their chocolate egg wrappings.

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During the coming week there are several events of interest. Tuesday’s regular monthly meeting of the N. C. Main Street Committee will focus on making the final decisions regarding street banners, brochures, street signs, and historic markers for our downtown.

We are awaiting confirmation from the U. S. Department of Interior that our downtown will be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This effort began last year by hiring a consultant who prepared an application which has been submitted on our behalf. After being approved at the state level, a national committee must review it. We should receive notification in late April or early May.

A town celebration and erection of the banners and signs will occur at that time. We plan to distribute 7,200 colorful brochures to motels, hotels, rest stops, and welcome centers later in the spring to attract tourists to our community and its historic downtown.

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“Batter up!” will be the call heard on Saturday as baseball season kicks off in town. The annual opening of the Dixie Youth Baseball season is set for noon at Civitan field on the White Pond Road.

Dozens of teams will give over a hundred youngsters the opportunity to play in America’s game and hone their batting, catching, and pitching skills. Several games are set for opening day. There are bleachers and plenty of concessions for parents and baseball fans.

There will be an opening ceremony at noon involving myself, the festival queens, and the first pitch. The public is cordially invited to this tradition in our community.

Keep reading The Bugle. That way you won’t miss out on all the great things happening in Fairmont. Have a great week.

— Charles Kemp is the mayor of Fairmont.