Mt. Airy Nationals, Georgia Cities Day usher in spring season

MT. AIRY — Temperatures were warm and there was no rain over the weekend, teasing that spring finally has arrived.

In Mt. Airy, the town celebrated its 16^th-annual Georgia Cities Day and Mt. Airy Nationals, held for the first time this year at the new Mt. Airy Town Hall in the former Mt. Airy School.

The Mt. Airy Nationals drew 77 vehicles to the grounds, while inside the building Mt. Airy Town Historian Sue Payne Smith gave visitors a glimpse at the new Mt. Airy History Museum, which is still a work in progress.

Visitors also were able to visit the former school cafetorium upstairs. Plans call for renovating it as a community space once funding can be secured.

At the conclusion of Saturday’s event, Mt. Airy Town Councilman Ray McAllister, who served as master of ceremonies for the day, was left speechless when Councilman Mike McCoy presented him with the town’s annual Humanitarian Award.

More than 75 antique and specialty vehicles pack the grounds of Mt. Airy Town Hall for the 16th-annual Mt. Airy Nationals and Georgia Cities Day celebration.

Mt. Airy Mayor Gary Morris welcomes guests to Saturday's Mt. Airy Nationals and Georgia Cities Day.

The American flag is raised during the opening ceremony of Saturday's Mt. Airy Nationals and Georgia Cities Day.

Fire and smoke rises from the barrels of color guard rifles in Mt. Airy on Saturday.

Members of the color guard participate in the opening ceremony at Saturday's Mt. Airy Nationals and Georgia Cities Day.

Mt. Airy Town Councilman Adam Tullis and Mayor Gary Morris give a tour of the former cafetorium in the upstairs of the former Mt. Airy School.

Visitors to Saturday's Mt. Airy Nationals and Georgia Cities Day get a look at the upstairs of Mt. Airy Town Hall, formerly the Mt. Airy School. Officials plan to restore the cafetorium once funding can be obtained.

Vendors and children's activities fill the lower level of the parking lot at Mt. Airy Town Hall.

Members of the Habersham County Bicentennial Committee offer information and commemorative items.

Mt. Airy Town Councilman Mike McCoy presents Councilman Ray McAllister with the town's Humanitarian Award.

Held for the first time on the grounds of Mt. Airy Town Hall, formerly the Mt. Airy School, the Mt. Airy Nationals and Georgia Cities Day celebration drew hundreds of visitors.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/4/664830/mt-airy-nationals-georgia-cities-day-usher-in-spring-season