The City of La Follette officially opened its Dogwood Trails on Thursday

TOP PHOTO: Decades of Dogwood Trail openings have been begun with Shirley Rogers behind the mic, and Thursday’s annual event was no exception.

Campbell High Band Director Adam Wright directs Soul Man played by the Campbell Jazz Band.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Thursday afternoon’s weather stole the show after last week’s original date to open La Follette’s Dogwood Trails was rained out.  An appreciative crowd was on hand for the annual ceremony.

See Charlie Hutson’s full photo gallery HERE on demand from WLAF.

Left to right – Shirley Rogers of the Hill & Valley Garden Club is welcomed to the podium by Mayor Cliff Jennings, City Administrator Stan Foust and Fire Chief Jimmy Pack.

City of La Follette Administrator Stan Foust welcomed and thanked Adam Wright and his Campbell High Jazz Band, Classy Threads and Catering, all those with the City, Shirley Rogers, Mayor Cliff Jennings, Vice-Mayor Wayne Kitts and council member Phillip Farmer, and the audience.

Stan Foust, City Administrator, presents flowers to Shirley Rogers of the Hill & Valley Garden Club.

Foust introduced La Follette Mayor Cliff Jennings who thanked all of those in attendance and expressed why this is his favorite time of year, “the bass are hitting the lizards.”  The mayor welcomed Shirley Rogers of the Hill & Valley Garden Club saying Shirley helped start the Dogwood Trails many years ago, and it continues.

The Campbell High Jazz Band kicked off the afternoon ceremony with its spot on version of Soul Man.  The tune featured solos from Eli Gross on saxophone, the trombone with Alex Wonders, and the soprano saxophone was played by Joann Begley (below).

Shirley Rogers stepped up to the microphone where she was promptly presented with a beautiful arrangement of flowers.  “I appreciate you asking me to be here today, and I must say, I would have been disappointed if you had not.  On behalf of the Hill & Valley Garden Club, thank you, mayor, Stan and council.  This is my favorite thing I do every year,” said Rogers.

“I’m happy to open the Dogwood Trails once again in 2024,” said Shirley Rogers as she snipped the big pink ribbon.  The crowd cheered, and the Campbell Jazz Band began to play.

The sounds of Frankenstein entertained for the next few minutes as Eli Gross soloed on saxophone, and the song’s crescendo came on the drum solo by Larry Byrge (below).

The ceremony concluded as the band finished its set with Mini the Moocher.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/19/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)

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