Batesville Celebrates with Foot Race, Parade, Maypole, Music, and “Not So Ugly” Truck Raffle
The citizens of Batesville were overjoyed at the return of the Batesville Day parade, led by grand marshal and beloved Batesville Postmaster Sandra Vaughn. The parade had been missing for the last five years from the Batesville Day festivities, held annually on the first Saturday in May. Long-time Batesville resident Helmes Brown said Vaughn’s choice for the honor met with universal approval.
“As head of the Batesville Post Office,” Brown said, “she knows a larger and broader array of the area’s residents than anyone else.” He added that she’s generously helped all of them in dealing with the services and occasional challenges of the U.S. Postal Service. “A visit to the post office means a friendly welcome, seasonal decorations, and immediate help, with expedited delivery, size and weight package restrictions, and the mysteries of shipping overseas,” he said.
Following Vaughn down Plank Road and past the Batesville Market were nearly forty different groups, including the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad, Crozet and North Garden Fire Departments, the Henley Middle School marching band, the Morris Men dance troupe, a flock of sheep from Sweet Seasons Farm, accompanied by their shepherds, Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, a wagonful of students from Rose Garden School, State Senator Creigh Deeds, Western Albemarle 4H, Crozet Lions Club Broom Brigade, Almost Home, Lovingston SPCA, a space float honoring the retired NASA engineers and specialists in the community, many of the day’s sponsors, and a rocking float full of Land Rovers created by Michael Boggs and the Batesville Natives, and many more creative and whimsical floats.
Live music from Bluzonia and Monsters Under the Bed, a Samurai sword presentation, a Maypole dance, a cake walk, and plant exchange were among the other festival offerings in the Batesville field.
The rain held off until after the “Not So Ugly Truck” raffle drawing that ended another magical day celebrating the historic community of Batesville.
Forty-five intrepid runners took part in the famously challenging 10k race. First place (Men) went to Tommy Shannon with a time of 40 minutes 29 seconds; second place went to Samuel Van Valkenburg, with 40 minutes 43 seconds; and third place to Hernan Garbini, with 40 minutes 57 seconds.
First place for women went to Mary Feamster, with a time of 50 minutes 22 seconds, followed by Sophie Speidel, with 50 minutes, 49 seconds; and third place was won by Kelly Fredgren at 51 minutes 48 seconds.
Batesville Day is organized by the Batesville Community Club (Ruritans) to support local charities and projects. More than 50 volunteers worked to make Batesville Day 2024 a real success.
