Pogofest 2002

This is your year to finally make that trip you have been promising yourself. On April 19 and 20, Waycross, Georgia will be hosting the annual celebration of Pogo, Walt Kelly, and cartooning, known as Pogofest.

Every year, at Pogofest, being named Cartoonist of the Year honors an outstanding cartoonist. This person will ride at the head of the Pogofest Parade, be honored with the presentation of the Cartoonist Walk of Fame Star and be Guest of Honor at a reception following the award ceremony. I wish I had sound so I could have a drum flourish right here. Announcing the 2002 Cartoonist of the Year. Patrick McDonnell.

Both of the local papers I have access to have very few of what I consider “good” comic strips, so it is not surprising that I had to start buying the Mutts books to meet Earl and Mooch, the wonderful dog and cat pair that are so entertaining. To learn all about Patrick McDonnell, simply follow this link. http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/mutts/bioMaina.htm

If you are not familiar with Mutts I recommend you correct that situation as soon as possible. Go to your nearest Borders Books, Barnes and Noble, B. Dalton or whatever is available, and treat yourself to at least one book. Then grab your airline schedule or road map and come to Waycross and meet the creator of Mooch and Earl.

Are you tired of telling your friends, “Friday the 13^th is on Wednesday this month”, and having them look at you strangely? Or at least more strangely than usual. When people ask how you are, do you say “Jes fine”? When someone uses the phrase “to whom” do you want to say “You’m that’s whom”? At Christmastime do you find you don’t know the words to “Deck Us All with Boughs of Holly”? Obviously you need to come to Pogofest. Imagine being able to talk to people that actually understand what you are saying.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday: We will be having a get together at the Hampton Inn on Thursday evening for all who arrive early.

Friday: The day is open until 5:00 PM, when we meet in the park for the parade. Maps will be available at the Hampton for everybody. The Parade is at 6:00 PM. The presentation of the Cartoonist of the Year will follow the parade at the gazebo in Doughboy Park across from the Depot. A reception with low country boil follows the ceremony in the Depot. There will be a concert by a local jazz group and a presentation by the Trembling Earth Theatrical Group just prior to the concert. We will gather back at the Hampton for anyone who wants to have fellowship from about 9:00 PM until ??

Saturday: The morning is open again for the Fan Club. Miggles Emporium will be from about 12 Noon to 3:30 PM. There will be a children's art exhibit in the downtown but our festival is too large for downtown, so we will be located in the pecan grove on Knight Avenue. This is near the fairgrounds next to the race track. It is very visible and quite nice. The city is paying for all the rides, entertainment, etc. The festival will last until about 4:00 with lots of activities for the whole family. A map will be available at the Hampton. We will be having dinner in the evening and will regroup at the Hampton for a lecture from Mr. McDonnell (we hope), the fun auction, and more fellowship. Dinner plans are still sketchy.

Come to Pogofest and find out the answers to some very interesting questions. What kind of really great things will appear at the auction? Where is Red Dog? Will he make it back to Waycross in time for Pogofest? Is Gary Claxton really heir to the Claxton Fruit Cake fortune? Inquiring minds want to know.