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October 19, 2008

Church presents its annual hootenanny

BY MARY WICOFF

DANVILLE — For most people, a cowboy hat and boots aren’t considered “church clothes.”

But, at First Assembly of God Church, that’s the best way to enjoy a “Hootenanny Experience.”

The church will present its annual hootenanny — which includes a meal, country store and music — Saturday night at the church, 428 N. Walnut St. It’s open to everyone.

“We have a great time with it,” said Carey Cundiff, longtime member and school administrator.

Members dress up in cowboy outfits and overalls; visitors are welcomed to dress accordingly, but they aren’t required to.

From 5-6 p.m., a meal of chili, hot dogs, potato chips and drinks will be served in the gym. Cost is $3 for individuals and $7 for a family. Also, until 6:30 p.m., visitors can browse around the country store, which offers crafts and bazaar-type items.

People can pose for a keepsake photo; cost is $3.

Girls in the Mpactyouth group will have various pies and desserts for sale as a fundraiser for their ministry.

Members of the Women’s Ministry will sell pecans, cashews and other nuts as a fundraiser.

From 6:30-8 p.m., people can enjoy music in the sanctuary at no charge.

The backdrop will be an old barn made by the J.R. Holycross Construction Co., a group of church men who are handy with tools.

A variety of entertainment will be offered, including numbers by the church’s choir, solos and instrumentals. The music will be southern gospel, country and folk.

“If you like that blend, it’s something you’re going to love,” said the Rev. Dave Rumley, pastor, who plays harmonica. “It’s a lot of fun.”

The church has always had a strong music program, he said, adding, “It’s in our DNA.”

Cundiff, who plays trumpet, said there will be a church member playing steel guitar and another on accordion. There will be a brass trio, as well.

The church choir will sing a couple of numbers, and students from Danville Christian Academy will perform.

First Assembly has been offering a hootenanny for several years, but it wasn’t always called that. It was at Kennekuk County Park and other parks until recent years, when it was moved indoors to avoid inclement weather and to accommodate the growing crowd.

The music program was held in the gym until this year, when it was moved to the sanctuary — again, to accommodate the crowd.

“It developed over the years into a full-blown deal,” Rumley said.

Each year, a different backdrop is used, Cundiff said, and one year, a full-size tractor was brought indoors.

The focus will be on the music and fun. Rumley noted there won’t be any preaching. However, the evening will give visi-tors a chance to see what First Assembly is like.

“It’s a great chance to connect and have a fun night,” he said.

The hootenanny theme carries over to the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, called “country Sunday.”

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