Lyle Shroyer pulled the small, red wagon loaded with blankets, coolers, and lawn chairs across the grass of the ceremonial parade ground as his wife, parents and three small children followed.“Why are we here?” asked 4-year-old Sam.
To have a picnic, said Lorie Shroyer, Sam’s mother.
Like the Shroyers, many Calhoun County residents, armed with lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and umbrellas, came to hear the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and Three Dog Night perform. The event was part of this year’s outdoor Music at McClellan concert series. The concert began at 8 p.m.
The Shroyers attended last Saturday’s concert, but left early because of the heavy rain that forced that concert indoors.
“We were hoping today’s concert wouldn’t be canceled,” Lyle Shroyer said.
The Shroyer’s picnic basket also contained their children’s pajamas.
“It will be pretty late when we leave,” Lorie Shroyer said.
Concert-goers were shuttled by bus from various McClellan parking areas to the Ceremonial Parade Grounds. In a scene reminiscent of the baggage claim area at an airport, people tried to sort out which lawn chairs and blankets belonged to them as volunteers unloaded the luggage compartment of the Alabama Limousine Inc. charter bus.
“I’m happy the turnout is so great,” said Christina Humphreys, a volunteer who helped unload buses.
Humphreys, who arrived about 5 p.m., said that as of about 7 p.m., the three buses had made at least a dozen trips.
“We’re a lot drier, and the people are a lot happier than they were last week,” Humphreys said.
After gathering their belongings, concert-goers surveyed the parade grounds in search of the perfect spot.
A mime, a fire juggler and Monte, a python, were on hand to entertain before the concert.
“I keep one (snake) with me all the time,” said Renee Morrison, Monte’s owner and a representative of Jacksonville State University’s Field School.
“We’re linking arts with the environment,” Morrison added.
Officials said they had expected a huge turnout, despite some rain Saturday afternoon. The rain ended well in advance of the concert.
"We’re expecting about 3,000 to 4,000 people," Donald Reaves, a Calhoun County deputy sheriff, predicted as he patrolled the area on horseback. Ten deputies on horseback patrolled during the concert, along with Anniston police on foot and in cars.
“The crowd has been great, and seem to be having a good time,” Reaves said.
Reaves, who was one of two deputies struck by lightning before the first concert last weekend as they tried to hold a tarp down on their horsetrailer, said he took a few precautions before Saturday night’s concert. “I check the weather more often and put rubber shoes on my horse,” he said. “I thought rubber shoes would help.”
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra will perform in a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Zinn Park as part of Anniston’s Memorial Day Celebration. The next Music at McClellan concert, ASO’s Simply Sinatra with Steve Lippia, is June 5 at 8 p.m. at the Ceremonial Parade Grounds.
