Festival's a time to see old friends

It was no coincidence that William Anderson came home when he did.

The Burrell School reunion was going on last weekend, and conveniently, the W.C. Handy Music Festival kicked off about the time the reunion was ending.

"I came for both and to play golf," Anderson said, sitting in a lawn chair on the hill above Lewis Field before the local jazz group 1 Way Street took the stage.

Anderson was joined by his friends, Robert Brewer and Eugene Goodloe, both of Florence. Anderson is originally from Florence but now lives in Detroit.

The three men were among numerous music lovers who set up lawn chairs in the shade of the school overlooking the field, which was still getting the full effect of the evening sun.

Those who opted to sit in the field closer to the stage set up umbrellas or portable canopies to provide some shade. Many people were wearing hats, including one woman who danced in front of the stage.

Goodloe and Brewer said they came to the Beale Street Blues event, which was sponsored by the TimesDaily, to see the headliner, the Shirley Rowell Band. Anderson said he was there to see it all.

While the good spots on the hill were taken early, the field started to fill up as 1 Way Street progressed through their set.

Dick Cooper, a member of the festival's music selection committee, said attendance has been good at the events he's seen and worked.

Many of the outdoor events drew better crowds as it grew closer to dark.

"People were so beat up by the heat," Cooper said.

Anderson, who brought his recreational vehicle so he and his friends could cool off if they needed to, said he's been enjoying this year's Handy festival.

"I love it," he said. "I believe this year has been the best year or one of the best years."

A lot of the enjoyment has come from not only hearing good music, but visiting with friends who came for the reunion and stuck around for the music festival.

"I've met a lot of people I haven't seen in 30 years," Brewer said.

"A lot of those people have never been to the Handy festival."

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.