Homecoming fever took over central Macclenny late last week beginning with a parade down US 90 to Memorial Stadium where the Cat Growl pep rally took place immediately afterwards on October 18. Here are some of the images from the festivities, but more are available for viewing and ordering prints here.

Bucs youth cheerleaders.

All-American Twirling Academy performers.

Justin Freeman

Justin Freeman of Sanderson is about to play one of the biggest shows of his young country music career in Gainesville.

Mr. Freeman, 30, preformed before to his largest audience at the Suwannee River Jam in 2011 opening for Blackberry Smoke, and also takes the stage at Jack Rabbits in Jacksonville’s San Marco neighborhood and the Country Club Lounge in Macclenny on occasion.

But on Thursday, October 18 at the Florida Theatre, the Baker County native will open for the Athens, GA-born country rapper Colt Ford. The show begins at 8 pm. Tickets are $25.

Mr. Freeman began his full-time music career in 2009 after a tumultuous period in his life. He lost his job as a graphic designer after eight years and went through a divorce.

“When everything was falling apart, or so it seemed, I was able to focus my attention on writing and producing,” said the budding singer-songwriter in an interview with The Press.

“It definitely helped me move on and get through one of the toughest times of my life. Music is the thing that can get people through any situation. I hope someone hears some of my songs and can relate and know they aren’t alone in their situation,” he said.

Mr. Freeman recalled one instance when a U.S. soldier approached him after a show about his song, “Since You’ve Been Gone.”

Noah Carter tests his aim at the fair.

The wet weather kept attendance down at the fairgrounds for most of the weekend, but fair association president Cathy Rhoden said most people ventured out on Saturday and late Friday night.

“It was a really great Saturday night,” she said. “Some people came after the rain on Friday, but nothing like they normally do.”

The rodeo was delayed until this weekend, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, as a result of the weather.

Jeff Howard with his lighted model Citabria aircraft.

Jeff Howard has always loved remote-controlled toys. But at 49, the civil service worker and former Navy submariner has found only one that’s still exciting.

Mr. Howard was among some 40 enthusiasts flying scaled-down airplanes at the Shadetree Miniature Aircraft Association’s air show north of Glen St. Mary last weekend.

“I’ve had every high-dollar remote motor-controlled thing that has ever existed ... ,” Mr. Howard explained the morning of September 28. “But this is the only thing — because if it goes up, it has to come down — that’s kept my interest and didn’t get boring.”

The association hosted the three-day event at the privately-owned 35-acre field, drawing pilots from as far away as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, some arriving with RVs and campers.

Billed as the International Miniature Aircraft Association’s District V Fly-in and Bud McMillan Memorial, the show featured motorized and remote-controlled replicas of real aircraft, some decked-out with strip lighting for night flying the evening of September 28.

One of Mr. Howard’s planes, a Citabria, which he pointed out was “airbatic” spelled backwards, has a 103-inch wing span and 35 cubic centimeter engine. It was adorned with multi-colored lights along the body, wings and tail, plus a trio of small flashlights mounted to the under-carriage that serve as landing lights.

The plane was also equipped with a small hatch on the underbelly that releases illuminated figurines hanging from parachutes.

“At night, they look like stars falling down,” said Mr. Howard of St. Mary’s, GA.