Albany Community gathers for food, fun

ALBANY, Ga. — Children scrambled through inflated bouncy houses, free grilled hamburgers scented the air and ponies took children for rides in the shade Saturday.

There was also a serious, but fun attraction provided by the Albany Fire Department at the gathering on the 200 block of South Carroll Street.

It was all part of Pastor Clifford Hill’s Cornerstone Church Ministries community gathering.

“We do this every two years to bring the community together,” Hill said. “We like to show the love of God to the community.”

The day’s festivities included some of God’s creatures giving children rides. A popular event at the gathering was Wild Bill’s Pony Rides.

Shetland ponies delighted children with rides in the shade. Sometimes, Wild Bill, aka Larry Williams of Pelham, said, children need an adult to ride with them.

“We have the mule in there with the ponies so a parent can ride too,” Williams said. “Sometimes the parents have just as much fun on the mule as the children do on the ponies.”

The serious fun began with the arrival of firefighters. Fire Department Lt. Clint Nobles brought a safety message to the gathering, and people lined up to hear him speak.

The tips about not playing with matches and lighters came across loud and clear. There was also information that may not have crossed the minds of adults and children.

A firefighter decked out in his full 50 pounds of gear including a gas mask, air tank and helmet can look pretty scary, especially to children.

“Look at him. He looks scary, doesn’t he?” Nobles said. “Don’t be scared of him. If there is a fire he is there to help you.”

One boy, three-year-old Jorden Green, wasn’t scared. He jumped right up to get in the fire truck as soon as he could.

“That’s all he thinks about, fire trucks,” said Jorden’s father Samuel Green. “This is a really good way for the community to get together. It gives children something to do and there is good food too.”