Cunningham, TN – On Saturday, July 30th, 2016 the Central Civitan Club hosted the 108th annual Lone Oak Picnic at the Central Civitan Building. The event began at 10:00am and went on until around 3:00pm.
There was plenty of good conversations, entertainment and great food to go around. Those running for office were allowed to address everyone in attendance starting at 11:00am.
“We had a pretty good crowd this year. Appreciate everyone being here. If you weren’t able to be here, I’m sorry you missed it. Maybe you can be here next year,” said Larry Pitts with Central Civitan.
![There was a great turn out for the 108th annual Lone Oak Picnic. There was a great turn out for the 108th annual Lone Oak Picnic.](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/108th-annual-Lone-Oak-Picnic-48-480x320.jpg)
In preparing for the picnic, Central Civitan members slow cooked 4 whole hogs, 30 shoulders and 226 chicken halves. The food available for purchase through the Civitan was BBQ by the pound, BBQ sandwich, half chicken, hot dogs, chips, water and drinks.
“As always, they’ve hit it out of the park. Spectacular,” said Tennessee State Senator Mark Green. “It’s a great opportunity for people in the community just to get together in fellowship, have some good BBQ and support a good cause.”
![The famous BBQ sandwich. The famous BBQ sandwich.](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/108th-annual-Lone-Oak-Picnic-9-480x320.jpg)
“I want to thank everyone for allowing me to be your Senator for the past four years and I sure would appreciate the opportunity to serve again,” said Green.
“We really appreciate those that did come out here and show their support for the community, Pitts stated. The money we raise goes right back into the community. We give back to the Boy Scouts, victims of house fires, the schools, the fire department. It just all goes back into the community. We appreciate the people coming out and spending money.”
“I love this event. I love the people here. I love the food,” stated David Cutting, candidate for State Senate District 22.
![Boy Scout Troop 546 Boy Scout Troop 546](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/108th-annual-Lone-Oak-Picnic-20-480x320.jpg)
The Cunningham Fire Department was helping with traffic as well as raising money selling cheese nachos, ice cream sandwiches, strawberry & chocolate ice cream cups, and many flavors of snow cones. Boy Scout Troop 546 was doing stickers and face painting.
The Lone Oak Picnic brings the local community together to talk with neighbors, family and friends while listening to music and enjoying some fine food. It’s also a good time to learn about the issues facing the community.
“Please, get out and vote. Vote up and down the ballot. Don’t waste this right that you have. It’s very important. When you think about it, the races at middle of the ticket, the races at the bottom of the ticket, those are the ones that are going to effect your daily lives everyday,” said Cutting. “So think hard before you cast your vote and please, please, get out there and vote. It’s the voters that exercise their right that empowers the government.”
![The Back Lot Pickers The Back Lot Pickers](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/108th-annual-Lone-Oak-Picnic-4-480x320.jpg)
The Back Lot Pickers, Donald Greene and Lucian Greene, provided the musical entertainment for the event. For the kids, there were bounce houses, a train ride, face painting and a dunking booth.
The Memory Lane Cruisers delighted adults and children alike with their car show.
“I been coming here for 72 years, since my 20’s, a long time. The BBQ here is good. Everything I’ve had here is good,” stated Jessie Sinks. “They have some good looking antique cars here. They’re real nice.”
![Jessie Sinks Jessie Sinks](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/108th-annual-Lone-Oak-Picnic-1-480x320.jpg)
“Every year it always great to see such a crowd of people here. This is 108 years. You don’t see this many place across the country, let alone here in Montgomery County. But to have a group of people to hold something like this together for 108 years is just amazing,” stated Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson.
“We need more of this. We need more communities coming together, getting to know their neighbors and getting their elected officials and candidates. So it’s just an honor to be apart of it and very proud of what this community continues to do year after year,” said Fuson.
![Getting her face painted. Getting her face painted.](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/108th-annual-Lone-Oak-Picnic-79-480x320.jpg)
The Central Civitan has sponsored the Lone Oak Picnic since 1975. All the money raised is used in the communities south of the Cumberland River through several projects sponsored by the Central Civitan Club. The Central Civitan Club, for example, supports the local Boy and Girl Scout troops. The club provides financial assistance to victims of house fires in the community.
The Lone Oak Picnic is held at the Central Civitan Building located off of Highway 13 on Alonzo Place.
“We do this every year. It’s the last Saturday in July. We welcome everybody to be here next year,” said Pitts.
Photo Gallery
Videos
Back Lot Pickers performing “I Feel Alright”
Back Lot Pickers Performing “No Sugar Tonight”
About the Lone Oak Picnic
The Central Civitan Club has sponsored the Lone Oak Picnic since 1975. Lone Oak is a tradition for candidates in Montgomery County. All the money raised is used in the communities south of the Cumberland River through several projects sponsored by the Central Civitan Club.
The Central Civitan Club, for example, supports the local Boy and Girl Scout troops. The club provides financial assistance to victims of house fires in the community. It supports educational and extracurricular activities of the students, teachers and staff of both Montgomery Central High School and Cumberland Heights Elementary School.
It also supports the Buddy Ball Special Needs Athletic League as well as the #BeMoreLikeWade 5K Scholarship Run/Walk/Crawl. These are just a few of the activities the Club Supports.
They also fund scholarships for and support many educational and extra-curricular activities of the students, teachers and staff at Montgomery Central High School, Montgomery Central Middle School and Montgomery Central Elementary School as well as Cumberland Heights Elementary School.