Two times the fun in downtown Eatonton

  • At least one happy couple outwaited the wet stuff to share a dance to the sounds of Cash’s Juke Joint, playing Saturday afternoon on the steps of The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton.
    At least one happy couple outwaited the wet stuff to share a dance to the sounds of Cash’s Juke Joint, playing Saturday afternoon on the steps of The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton.
  • Terry Stair and his young partner accepted two trophies: Best Antique and People’s Choice for Terry’s 1922 hot rod.
    Terry Stair and his young partner accepted two trophies: Best Antique and People’s Choice for Terry’s 1922 hot rod.
  • The 1950 Hudson Commodore (third back) of Sylvestore Pennamon took Best Classic honors, while the flamed T-Bucket of Terry Stair won Best Antique and the prestigious People’s Choice award at Taste of Eatonton.
    The 1950 Hudson Commodore (third back) of Sylvestore Pennamon took Best Classic honors, while the flamed T-Bucket of Terry Stair won Best Antique and the prestigious People’s Choice award at Taste of Eatonton.
  • With musicians as varied as their sounds, Dean Brown and Dubshak shared an upbeat but laidback sound with a small but enthusiastic crowd in Eatonton.
    With musicians as varied as their sounds, Dean Brown and Dubshak shared an upbeat but laidback sound with a small but enthusiastic crowd in Eatonton.
  • Sylvestore Pennamon received his car show trophy from E-P Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Maggie Milner.
    Sylvestore Pennamon received his car show trophy from E-P Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Maggie Milner.
  • Dean Brown and Dubshak presented an eclectic mix of reggaestyled music at Eatonton Main Street’s final Downtown GetDown event of the season at Eatonton City Center Stage.
    Dean Brown and Dubshak presented an eclectic mix of reggaestyled music at Eatonton Main Street’s final Downtown GetDown event of the season at Eatonton City Center Stage.
  • At least one happy couple outwaited the wet stuff to share a dance to the sounds of Cash’s Juke Joint, playing Saturday afternoon on the steps of The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton.
    At least one happy couple outwaited the wet stuff to share a dance to the sounds of Cash’s Juke Joint, playing Saturday afternoon on the steps of The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton.

    The downtown area of Eatonton came alive with two major events this past Saturday as the 23rd annual Taste of Eatonton presented by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, which took over The Plaza Square from 4 to 8 p.m., followed by Eatonton Main Street’s final Downtown GetDown event of the season from 7 to 10 p.m. at Eatonton City Center Stage.

    Unfortunately, a brief but heavy late-afternoon rain shower put a literal damper on both events, effectively cutting Taste of Eatonton’s attendance in half within minutes and scaring away any chance of a crowd for an excellent performance by Downtown GetDown artists Dean Brown and DubShak, out of Macon.

    Despite the deluge, hundreds of Eatonton-Putnam residents and visitors attended Taste of Eatonton, which featured more than a dozen restaurants and food trucks cooking all sorts of delicacies onsite. From basic barbeque to fried chicken to curried goat meat to fine dining, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

    Sodas, beer and wine sales also were available while two great performers presented by Tri-Co Go, including local artist Dave Tebo followed by headliner Cash’s Juke Joint, featuring Angel “Cash” Ocasio Jr., put together a pair of high-energy shows from The Plaza’s front steps.

    For the second straight year, Taste of Eatonton also presented a car show on Marion Street in front of The Plaza, with prizes and trophies awarded to several voted-on winners.

    A flamed 1922 Ford T-bucket owned by Terry Stair won both Best Antique and the prestigious People’s Choice Award, while the Mayor’s Choice, selected by Eatonton Mayor John Reid who was in attendance all afternoon with his wife and City of Eatonton Councilperson Janie Reid, went to a highly modified and modernized 1970 Chevelle owned by Roger Fornier.

    Best Classic honors for cars or trucks 1930-’60 went to Sylvestore Pennamon and his rare 1950 Hudson Commodore, while Best of Show honors for entries 1960 to 1979 went to the ’73 Ford station wagon of Jordan Collins, and Best of Show for late-model entries went to Anthony Valdez with his 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang.

    After festivities wrapped up at The Plaza, the dance party moved over to City Center Stage, where the Reids were again in the crowd enjoying expertly “reggaefied” versions by Dean Brown and DubShak of many familiar pop and rock songs, in addition to traditional reggae standards.

    It’s unfortunate the threat of rain (which never materialized) kept the crowds away from what was a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable night out.

    Eatonton-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce
    Eatonton Main Street