MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

CARRSVILLE – Nearly 300 descendants and friends of Lucy Ann Hill and William Robert Maddrey attended Carrsville Community Day on the Fourth of July weekend at Knight’s Park.

Celebrating “The Family,” the 28th Community Day was co-sponsored this year by the Hill-Maddrey Family Reunion. Members of this family are the founders of the celebration.

“It’s always a success,” said Curtis Rawlings, who had the idea to have the annual event.

“I used to come down from my home in Maryland every year to visit the relatives,” he said. “Then I thought how much easier it would be for all of us if we were all in one place.”

Rawlings discussed his idea with a few other members of the family and Carrsville Community Day was born. Always held at Knight Park in Carrsville, the first event was held in 1985.

The oldest member attending this year was Bertha Maddrey Knight, 91, who “is always there,” she said.

Starting at noon, there was a short program prior to lunch. A synopsis of the occasion was presented by Dr. Woodrow Knight, another member of the family.

Planned by a Community Day committee, the event offered interests for all age groups. There were activities for children as well as adults, from kick-ball and a bounce House, to line dancing.

And the meal, cooked and served by members of the family, offered everything from fried chicken, fish and hot dogs, to home cooked vegetables and desserts.

Added attractions for the program this year were remarks by Rex Alphin, Carrsville representative on the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors and a visit by Kerry Holmes, candidate for the Virginia State Senate 14th District.