The hundreds that attended Nokesville Day on June 1^st noticed the NBA’s presence. Our new sign, the Association’s main project this past year, was installed at Fitzwater Drive and Route 28 to be seen by everyone coming to the celebration. The fine craftsmanship displayed in the sign emphasizes the pride of the businesses in the community.

The Association had a tent set up in front of Basham & Mullen’s office on Fitzwater Drive. Members representing the NBA took turns handing out literature and selling the popular Nokesville tee shirts and sweatshirts. In addition, the new Business Directory was handed out. We thank Jim and Peggy Hobbs, J.P. and Joyce Landahl, Tony and Dorothy Slaga, Stan Keys, Tom Basham, and Mike Squires for their help at the tent and with the details.

Laughter and fun abounded as the Membership Chairman, J. P. Landahl, gave out fake lottery tickets to the crowd. He made each participant promise to give half of the proceeds to the Association if they won. All agreed. All won! All laughed as they read that Santa Claus supplied the claim forms and that all winning tickets must be validated by the Tooth Fairy. It was then that J. P. Landahl told each person that they were always a winner when they worked with the Nokesville Business Association. Extra tickets were given out to those who wanted to fool a friend.

We gained three new members as a result of our presence at Nokesville Day. We welcome them and look forward to seeing their inputs in the upcoming events of the Association.

A printed notice of the special events sponsored by the Association was given to the visitors at the tent. Everyone was encouraged to attend the musical events in Nokesville Park on June 23 and July 27 and bring friends.

The day’s weather was great: clear and warm. No, wait, it was very hot and we all enjoyed the cool breeze as it passed by us. However, we were so intent on greeting as many people as possible, the heat was a secondary thought in our minds. Tom Basham supplied drinking water in a cooler and drink bottles for the crowd; they were greatly appreciated.

Would we do it again? Of course, and next year we plan to have clowns, balloons and more merriment for the crowd. The Nokesville residents attending will know of the Association’s efforts and we will recruit more members to promote the businesses in the Nokesville area.

(July 2002)