Fresh off Theo Ratliff’s annual basketball camp comes the announcement of the new “Theo Ratliff Activity Center.” The center will be for kids and adults alike. Included in the plans for the new building is a basketball court, walking tract, meeting rooms and a computer lab. Ratliff told the
Times he wants the center to focus on more than just basketball.
The Theo Ratliff Activity Center will be located on three lots bext to U.S. Jones elementary school. Ratliff has donated $200,000 for the project. A grant of $250,000 is being secured, leaving around $150,000 to be raised from other sources. Heading up the project is Luke Hallmark, who will be the chairman of the center’s committee, Mark Pettus of the Demopolis Parks and Recreation, and Mike Randall. Mayor Austin Caldwell has pledged to budget $50,000 to $60,000 yearly to hire a full time director and run the facility.
It’s awesome to see what Theo has been and is now doing for the community here. I still say the DMS gym should be renamed for Theo, since he started his career there.
Freedom on the River Festival a three-day event.
Three days of events are planned this year for the 2003 Freedom on the River Festival in Demopolis.
Beginning on July 3rd, a patriotic parade will begin at 4 p.m. at the Board of Education building and travel through downtown. All civic groups, veterans, Boy and Girl Scouts, and members of National Guard units are asked to participate. At 6:30 p.m. the annual “Best Burger” competition will be held at the City Landing Ball Field. Cooking teams are needed. There will also be live music from the Chad Hall experiment at 6:30 p.m. and Chevy 6 at 9 p.m. Admission is $5.
The fireworks display will be held at 8:30 p.m. on July 4th at the City Landing. The “Great Duck Race” will be held at 5 p.m. Bluff Hall will be having “Children’s Day” on July 4th as well. From 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. there will be food, fun and games for ages 3-12. Games include a water gun shooting gallery, lawn bowling, fishing in the fountain, fun photos and more. All games are 25 cents. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a children’s Patriotic Parade down Commissioner Ave. Children should begin lining up in front of Bluff Hall at 6 p.m. with there bikes, trikes, wagons or even strollers decorated in patriotic fashion. Prizes will be given to age groups.
On July 5th, singer-songwriter Steve Forbet will perform on the Gaineswood Mansion lawn at 4 p.m. Admission is $5. Gates will open for tours at 9 a.m.
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