Back in about 1986, Big Ridge Homemaker member Fontella Suffridge worked at the Big Ridge State Park. The park was going to start a new bluegrass festival the third Friday in August. She volunteered the Big Ridge Homemakers to provide the concessions. This was a huge undertaking and required all members to participate.

sold grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Each member brought various baked goods that were the highlight every year. Husbands and family members helped out by cooking at the hot grills. This taught us all how to appreciate the work done at a fast food restaurant.

The proceeds that were made were used to support county nonprofits, sponsor 4-H scholarships and to plant flowers at the Big Ridge State Park Office and entrance sign. The homemakers planted hundreds of dollars worth of plants after weeding all the planted areas. The plantings ended when a new superintendent came to the park and said only native plants can be planted.

We did the concessions at the Big Ridge State Park Bluegrass Festival for about 36 years straight ending in 2022. Other vendors were invited in as it was getting too much for us to handle.