It would seem appropriate that some DDD T-shirts should be the natural successor to your Dad's Koch shirts. 👕 HD looks like a wonderful event. Nothing seems too much of a challenge for this great community. 👍
The organization and planning that goes into putting this event on is off the charts! Hats off to you and all the other volunteers that put this on every year!
Our is the Topsfield Fair. Agriculture, amusement rides, music and now demolition derby. I used to help my grandfather at the corn booth. 10 days worth. Thank you Niel for the memories.
Neil, I have always lived in small towns… well at least since I was eight years old. Every one of them has a ‘Signature Event’. Apple Butter Making Days in a town known for fruit orchards, Gem City Day in a town called Diamond, Mining Festival in a town built to house workers in the lead and zinc mines during the early 1900’s, Dogwood Days in a town so littered with our state tree that the streets are virtually aligned with flowered white balls every spring, Harvest Fest in a really small town that only has a post office and a Farm Store…. And so on. Each of these events is different… but they all have a couple of things in common. They infuse residents with a sense of pride. They bring together local people to plan, participate and organize. They bring home residents for a little while who have left the community. And they attract outsiders who inject needed funds in exchange for memories that stay with them long after they go their merry way. Our local event is The Maple Leaf Festival. It originated in 1968 when the High School Band Director put together a parade. It was intended to raise funding to pay for the band to compete in Football Marching Band Competitions in much larger cities. To wit, the parade ended at our local High School Football Field… followed by four out of town bands performing their own half time routines in a competition. He named it the Four States Marching Band Festival… because each competing band came from a different state (MO, KS, OK, AR). The band council and director met with the city council, chamber of commerce and numerous civic groups to get required permits and street security… the City Council begrudgingly agreed and sat back to see what would happen. Band members, their parents and a couple of civic groups worked hard to organize the logistics. The local news paper carried out a full blown promotional campaign for a solid month or so before the events…. And, the week before the parade…. A cold snap hit the area that blanketed the thousands of maple trees lining the parade route with frost. As a result, the sun arose on the third Thursday of October over a parade of bands marching through the most beautiful display of autumn glory that you can imagine. The entire mile-long route was lined with people laughing, cheering the performances of the bands and admiring the beauty of the day. I did not attend that event. We lived in a smaller town about 8 miles away and knew nothing about it. However, the following summer we moved. That put me into the 9th grade band that would participate in the Second Annual Four States Marching Band Festival. And, it put me as a junior member of the Band Council. I didn’t have a clue what was happening but, I cast my first votes for two changes. 1. We turned the parade portion over to the Chamber of Commerce. (The City Council assumed they could take it over. But, the Band Director remembered how they had begrudgingly permitted the first parade. He asked us to vote to put it in the hands of the CofC instead). 2. The second vote was to petition the state high school music association to sanction the Marching Band Festival. (That meant that performance ratings of bands could be accepted by each of the four states music association.) On the third Saturday of October I marched in the Second Annual Maple Leaf Parade and Four States Marching Band Festival… I’ve since brought numerous family, friends and acquaintances to participate or watch these events. Over the ensuing 52 years, two were missed. And of those I attended, I have marched, ridden or walked in about 35 of them. This year, there are already 51 bands signed up for the band festival and 355 entrants in the parade… nearly 80,000 people are expected to swell this community of 12,000. And as always occurs… crime and pestilence are expected to remain right at that zero mark where it should be… for the now , 7 day event it has grown into. Neil, I’m not as active in our local festival as you are in Harlan Days… but, my heart still swells with pride as I watch the community share camaraderie, fellowship and pride. Seeing a good thing happen on purpose is as fulfilling as anything else that I do. Knowing that I had a small part in how it all started is just icing on my cake! Neil, you are justifiably proud of what your community does around Harlan Days. And I must ask, is not the satisfaction worth every moment of effort you expend in making it a success?
Indeed it is worth it sir. I loved how you explained the phenomenon of the small town festival- "they infuse residents with a sense of pride". You're exactly right. Much in the same way we root for our Home High School team, we all tend to root for our little town a bit more in that first month of August. I'm so glad that so many folks can relate. I have never heard of the Maple Leaf Festival, although it sounds like something I would most certainly enjoy. I have marched in many a parade, and 3 years as our High School Drum major I marched most of them backwards while conducting the band. We got to travel to Disney and Jaga Lake and Sea World... what a great bunch of memories. I can imagine exactly what that must be for the lucky folks that get to march in that parade of "yours" now. Quite an honor I suppose. It occurs to me that it would be quite an interesting summer if one could embark on a "Small Town Festival Tour" and travel around to take it all in. I suppose I could join up with our carnival ride company and fulfill that curiosity one day! But I'd rather go with Kara and the girls. Thanks for sharing the story of your hometown festival and what it means to you. You've got me beat in the number of years of attendance! Have a great week and thanks as always for the terrific comment Dave.
What excellent showing of what America is really all about. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it brought back a lot of memories with my sons growing up over the years and the fun we had at our local county fair. Bravo! Bravo !😀😀
Wow this was awesome, great family event, I grew up in a small town in Scotland (Blairgowrie) we had something similar called Braemar night. This video made my heart happy. Thank you,❤
I started watching your channel a few months ago and quickly realized how much in common we have. First let me say that family is everything. You have showed that family and hard work pays off. Thanks to your parents for instilling in you the important of hard work. I myself was raised the same way and find your channel enlightening. Your kids are very blessed to have such a wonderful mom and dad as parents. You're very blessed my friend. 🎉 keep posting and God bless you all.
We have that where we live ,but we have real history in ours when it started. ours is in end of August to Sept 9th,we small town as well,we been doing it for over 150 yrs
I recently discovered your channel. I had been looking for something very non political and enjoyable to watch/listen to while I work. I LOVE your channel! Thank you for deciding to share your family's life and and work. I find it very enjoyable and a much needed break from the crazy times we are all living in. As a life long New Englander I think your part of the country is very beautiful. Thanks again.
Neil, as a former FOX photographer you have successfully achieved the greatest thing any photographer can do, tug on people’s heartstrings, they will not only support you, but stick with you forever! I loved your story on Harlen days, GOOD JOB!!
This content is SO good that I feel the need to stop watching videos before I can share them with my wife. I’m thinking of finding or making my own Harlan Days festival when I have kids. Thanks again Neil for being a genuinely good man, how silly it must seems to your ears because you are just being yourself, but I assure you that your nature and kind soul is a big reason for the life god gave you.
The traditional town fair has to be one of the greatet events known to mankind. Seeing Harlan's bring back fond memories of the fair in my old hometown.
For some reason your videos inspire me to clean my garage. I love how you have made a channel on just taking care of your family, home and property. Seems like a lost art these days but you are inspiring other men to do the same. Can’t just be me cleaning my garage. :)
Hi Neil. That was pretty neat! You don't see that kind of community activity much any more. At least I don't. Looked like a real blast for everyone. Love the car with 2 front ends. Thanks for sharing this event with us! -mike
I love everything about this video!! It reminds me of the fun I had at my small hometown of Sheridan,IN at 4th of July and Harvest Moon festivals, which I try to make it back to every year. This year I got to drive one of tractors in the parade. Thanks again for a wonderful video.
For your water. If you have a hammer drill use that to drive the pipes in the ground. You may have to make an adapter, but it will work. I drive ground rods in the earth that way. Plus add water in the hole. Hope this helps, best of luck.
After years of filling up river tubes with an air compressor, I switched to an air pump from a inflatable mattress, and it moves a lot more air! I liked the original title I thought I saw!
Here in Pittsburgh suburb, we have a block-party for 10 years (breaking during covid). Your video made me thinking how I can help those awesome few who keeps it running. Thank you!
Absolutely beautiful. I enjoy our small town events. Hatton, North Dakota has a 4th of July tradition of many fun events, including a kiddie parade, peddle tractor pull, the main parade, a demolition derby, & much, much more.
We have a similar community event yearly... parade, road race, rides, local nonprofit and for-profit vendors, music and let's not forget the FOOD, FUN and FIREWORKS!!! For years, my father was the "man in charge" but had an amazing bunch of volunteers who selflessly gave their time and expertise to lend a hand to make it all come together!!! Our festival is only a two day event, but it takes a year of planning and preparation!!! It's such a wonderful tradition... the generations of families through the years, recalling memories of the past... watching the event evolve, yet stay the same... It's a lot of work for just a couple of days... but TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! Thank you for sharing Harlan Days with us!!!
What a kool festival! Thanks for sharing it with us, it's so nice to see something organically GOOD put on by a community, that it looks like everyone enjoys.
I'm sure there are small towns everywhere who still keep up with their traditions and most are because of the volunteerism of the community. Your town seems like a great place to be a part of that community. I really enjoy watching your videos whatever you are doing. This one was pretty special.
It is so good to see the kids working, a lesson for life. In 25 years time you will be helping your kids and grandkids. They will be telling you to take it easy while they do the heavy work
Thank you to share your life. I myself never have this type of experience . Nor my kids 12, 14 years old. I’m 56 don’t have the knowledge to have what you have a Freeform country living which are awesome in a community like yours.
Can’t add a specific time to this comment. Once again, as you usually do. You wrap it up with something wise and very true. Family, commitment ,community and persevering through small and large day to day challenges. We’ll done. Refreshing to see thank you.
I am 68, and I was born in Indiana, lived in Plainfield until by Dad was transferred when I was 11. I still have family in Indy. I loved it there, and now that I just retired, I plan on coming up to visit with my camper next year. Maybe I can swing up there to Harlan for this. What a great community!
Awesome event Neil. Thanks for taking me along to see all the hard work that the volunteers do. That's dedication to a wonderful family event. Thanks for sharing. Dan 😊
Annual events are so fun. Reminds me setting up church picnics in our small town. And setting up Scout summer camp. Neither had that amount of effort, but the sense of community and the coming together of familiar faces was the same.
Your park videos bring back so many memories as a kid of helping my grandparents at the park that was across the street. I do miss living in a small town and being a part of a community.
Seeing your community come together like this makes me want to sell my home here in South Bend, Indiana and move a couple hours to the East. This country certainly needs more communities like Harlan.
How is the real estate market? I’m coming to set roots! Love your community and would be proud to be apart of it. Only wish I was twenty years younger 😬
Growing up in Southern Illinois, the small towns all had a carnival every year and in our town the profits from our carnival was used to cover the cost of the village Fire Department.
Well done Neil. The small town communities across the country are the real America. Thank you, your family and all of the volunteers for helping keep America alive! 🇺🇸💪
We used to have a festival like this when I was a kid....It has since morphed into an unfun, expensive Chinese goods market. I miss it so much from when I was a kid.
I enjoyed this but the Soccer Tournament with the cars was extra special because it was also combined with the demolition derby style entertainment. Locally we have Tractor Pulls, Dirt Track racing, Go-Kart, Dirt bike racing, and Mower races. The best for me is watching a 5 hp Go-Kart run at 100 mi/hr around an oval track and even though it isn't the kids running those 100 mi/hr versions, there are races when the kids are the drivers of appropriately powered karts and they can be comical. Traditions are fun when you want them to be, glad you enjoyed your Harlan Days events. 😵💫👍
I live in NC and part of my job is visiting a plant in Iowa. Every time I drive through Iowa I can't help but think of how amazing it would have been to have grown up in the 50's, 60's or 70's in the rural midwest.
I loved this , brings back fond memories of the fish fry / carnival we used to have in our small town when I was younger , to bad it doesn’t happen anymore, thanks for sharing yours 😊👍
This is so cool, Neil. Thank you! I am very intrigued with the electrical grid set up. I'm not an electrician, but often wished I was, or at least hung with people who are and could teach, show, and tell.
I really enjoy these small town videos. It gives me optimism that contrary to the message of decisiveness so prevalent, there are thousands of small communities that meld tradition and future. I admire and enjoy you sharing these with us. Great video.
Hey Greg! We got all kinds of wholesome sauce up in here lately! Glad to see you still lurking in the comments. I don't always see them all these days so I"m sorry if I've missed some.
@@digdrivediy I'm always keeping an eye on you my brother. Sure, you have blown me off a few times, all good though. I just call Kara and remind her about the fireplace when you Don't reply. All works out in the end.
I grew up in Tipton Indiana. They have the Pork Festival every year the first weekend after Labor Day. It takes a lot of volunteers and year around work to put it on. I will always remember our football team volunteering in the pork chop tent. Wonderful memories that will forever remain. ❤️ excellent video and much respect for your family's values. Those are passed down and some folks never had the opportunity to learn them.
As always Niel, my hats off to you! Being from a small town myself I’m not sure if it translates to everyone but I feel ya!! Take care my friend. Great video and thanks for all you do
I just wrapped up a long week of volunteering at our local county fair (MN's largest county fair!) Thanks for putting into words what I've been thinking about a lot lately... why do we do this? For me, it's for the joy that it brings to so many people. P.S. How long before you'll have to bury those electrical wires? Our inspectors are requiring overhead power lines to be buried for safety... which is no small (or cheap) feat at a large fairgrounds!
I think I need a Harlan Park and the associated community in my life. Healthy and happy.
Couldn't agree more. 👏
It would seem appropriate that some DDD T-shirts should be the natural successor to your Dad's Koch shirts. 👕
HD looks like a wonderful event. Nothing seems too much of a challenge for this great community. 👍
The organization and planning that goes into putting this event on is off the charts! Hats off to you and all the other volunteers that put this on every year!
Now that is a well oiled operation. It’s so nice to see Americana and hometown pride still is thriving.
Our is the Topsfield Fair.
Agriculture, amusement rides, music and now demolition derby.
I used to help my grandfather at the corn booth. 10 days worth.
Thank you Niel for the memories.
Thank you sir.
Thank you sir.
A friend took part in the car derbies and harlan days, he had alot of fun. Wish I could have came down. Good show of the whole thing, thanks
Neil, I have always lived in small towns… well at least since I was eight years old.
Every one of them has a ‘Signature Event’. Apple Butter Making Days in a town known for fruit orchards, Gem City Day in a town called Diamond, Mining Festival in a town built to house workers in the lead and zinc mines during the early 1900’s, Dogwood Days in a town so littered with our state tree that the streets are virtually aligned with flowered white balls every spring, Harvest Fest in a really small town that only has a post office and a Farm Store…. And so on.
Each of these events is different… but they all have a couple of things in common. They infuse residents with a sense of pride. They bring together local people to plan, participate and organize. They bring home residents for a little while who have left the community. And they attract outsiders who inject needed funds in exchange for memories that stay with them long after they go their merry way.
Our local event is The Maple Leaf Festival. It originated in 1968 when the High School Band Director put together a parade. It was intended to raise funding to pay for the band to compete in Football Marching Band Competitions in much larger cities. To wit, the parade ended at our local High School Football Field… followed by four out of town bands performing their own half time routines in a competition. He named it the Four States Marching Band Festival… because each competing band came from a different state (MO, KS, OK, AR).
The band council and director met with the city council, chamber of commerce and numerous civic groups to get required permits and street security… the City Council begrudgingly agreed and sat back to see what would happen.
Band members, their parents and a couple of civic groups worked hard to organize the logistics. The local news paper carried out a full blown promotional campaign for a solid month or so before the events…. And, the week before the parade…. A cold snap hit the area that blanketed the thousands of maple trees lining the parade route with frost.
As a result, the sun arose on the third Thursday of October over a parade of bands marching through the most beautiful display of autumn glory that you can imagine.
The entire mile-long route was lined with people laughing, cheering the performances of the bands and admiring the beauty of the day.
I did not attend that event. We lived in a smaller town about 8 miles away and knew nothing about it. However, the following summer we moved. That put me into the 9th grade band that would participate in the Second Annual Four States Marching Band Festival.
And, it put me as a junior member of the Band Council. I didn’t have a clue what was happening but, I cast my first votes for two changes.
1. We turned the parade portion over to the Chamber of Commerce. (The City Council assumed they could take it over. But, the Band Director remembered how they had begrudgingly permitted the first parade. He asked us to vote to put it in the hands of the CofC instead).
2. The second vote was to petition the state high school music association to sanction the Marching Band Festival. (That meant that performance ratings of bands could be accepted by each of the four states music association.)
On the third Saturday of October I marched in the Second Annual Maple Leaf Parade and Four States Marching Band Festival…
I’ve since brought numerous family, friends and acquaintances to participate or watch these events. Over the ensuing 52 years, two were missed. And of those I attended, I have marched, ridden or walked in about 35 of them.
This year, there are already 51 bands signed up for the band festival and 355 entrants in the parade… nearly 80,000 people are expected to swell this community of 12,000. And as always occurs… crime and pestilence are expected to remain right at that zero mark where it should be… for the now , 7 day event it has grown into.
Neil, I’m not as active in our local festival as you are in Harlan Days… but, my heart still swells with pride as I watch the community share camaraderie, fellowship and pride. Seeing a good thing happen on purpose is as fulfilling as anything else that I do. Knowing that I had a small part in how it all started is just icing on my cake!
Neil, you are justifiably proud of what your community does around Harlan Days. And I must ask, is not the satisfaction worth every moment of effort you expend in making it a success?
Indeed it is worth it sir.
I loved how you explained the phenomenon of the small town festival- "they infuse residents with a sense of pride". You're exactly right. Much in the same way we root for our Home High School team, we all tend to root for our little town a bit more in that first month of August. I'm so glad that so many folks can relate.
I have never heard of the Maple Leaf Festival, although it sounds like something I would most certainly enjoy. I have marched in many a parade, and 3 years as our High School Drum major I marched most of them backwards while conducting the band. We got to travel to Disney and Jaga Lake and Sea World... what a great bunch of memories.
I can imagine exactly what that must be for the lucky folks that get to march in that parade of "yours" now. Quite an honor I suppose. It occurs to me that it would be quite an interesting summer if one could embark on a "Small Town Festival Tour" and travel around to take it all in. I suppose I could join up with our carnival ride company and fulfill that curiosity one day! But I'd rather go with Kara and the girls.
Thanks for sharing the story of your hometown festival and what it means to you. You've got me beat in the number of years of attendance!
Have a great week and thanks as always for the terrific comment Dave.
Thank you for sharing. For some reason this video brought tears to my eyes. Made me miss the small town I grew up in.
I'm right there with you.
5:26 Neil, this is so many kinds of ways of awesomeness. Thanks for sharing.
Marcus (your Tokyo follower)
And that chicken looks amazing 🤩
Really appreciate having you watching these videos over there Marcus!
Hope things are going well.
What excellent showing of what America is really all about. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it brought back a lot of memories with my sons growing up over the years and the fun we had at our local county fair. Bravo! Bravo !😀😀
Ok. The soccer derby was awesome! It has me googling how far away Harlan is from us. 😁🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Only 9 hours. 🤔 I've driven farther for less fun. 😬
First weekend in August every year 😁
Hello from the Netherlands Koch Family .
thanks for the video Neil .
Sincerely Hollandduck
Thanks so much friend!
@@digdrivediy 👍
Wow this was awesome, great family event, I grew up in a small town in Scotland (Blairgowrie) we had something similar called Braemar night. This video made my heart happy. Thank you,❤
I started watching your channel a few months ago and quickly realized how much in common we have. First let me say that family is everything. You have showed that family and hard work pays off. Thanks to your parents for instilling in you the important of hard work. I myself was raised the same way and find your channel enlightening. Your kids are very blessed to have such a wonderful mom and dad as parents. You're very blessed my friend. 🎉 keep posting and God bless you all.
We have that where we live ,but we have real history in ours when it started. ours is in end of August to Sept 9th,we small town as well,we been doing it for over 150 yrs
I'm jealous of your small town tradition. Thanks for sharing the generational perspective.
Love small towns. Grew up in them and still live in them. Family even if not all relatives
No matter what family goes through nothing is as important as families staying together
I'm truly happy I found this channel through wes.
I recently discovered your channel. I had been looking for something very non political and enjoyable to watch/listen to while I work. I LOVE your channel! Thank you for deciding to share your family's life and and work. I find it very enjoyable and a much needed break from the crazy times we are all living in. As a life long New Englander I think your part of the country is very beautiful. Thanks again.
Neil, as a former FOX photographer you have successfully achieved the greatest thing any photographer can do, tug on people’s heartstrings, they will not only support you, but stick with you forever!
I loved your story on Harlen days,
GOOD JOB!!
Wow! Thanks for the kind words. That means a lot. Thanks for watching!
This content is SO good that I feel the need to stop watching videos before I can share them with my wife. I’m thinking of finding or making my own Harlan Days festival when I have kids. Thanks again Neil for being a genuinely good man, how silly it must seems to your ears because you are just being yourself, but I assure you that your nature and kind soul is a big reason for the life god gave you.
This sense of community, family and tradition is what's been lost or forgotten to new generations.
The traditional town fair has to be one of the greatet events known to mankind. Seeing Harlan's bring back fond memories of the fair in my old hometown.
For some reason your videos inspire me to clean my garage. I love how you have made a channel on just taking care of your family, home and property. Seems like a lost art these days but you are inspiring other men to do the same. Can’t just be me cleaning my garage. :)
That is awesome!
Hi Neil. That was pretty neat! You don't see that kind of community activity much any more. At least I don't. Looked like a real blast for everyone. Love the car with 2 front ends. Thanks for sharing this event with us!
-mike
Thanks for tuning in Mike!
Wouldn't want to miss it!@@digdrivediy
I love everything about this video!!
It reminds me of the fun I had at my small hometown of Sheridan,IN at 4th of July and Harvest Moon festivals, which I try to make it back to every year. This year I got to drive one of tractors in the parade.
Thanks again for a wonderful video.
For your water. If you have a hammer drill use that to drive the pipes in the ground. You may have to make an adapter, but it will work. I drive ground rods in the earth that way. Plus add water in the hole. Hope this helps, best of luck.
Have any questions drop me a line
America needs more of this on the news vs what is shown nightly
Hard work, but good wholesome family fun, every family man’s dream town to live. John UK
Great job looking great fun fun fun keep up the great work love your videos thank you
Thanks so much Ed!
I really enjoyed this video!
Thank You & Your Family for Sharing your time for Fun & Relaxing with all of us!
You did our town proud with this story and your continued volunteerism, year after year.
Really appreciate it Kevin. Thanks for your part in it as well!
After years of filling up river tubes with an air compressor, I switched to an air pump from a inflatable mattress, and it moves a lot more air! I liked the original title I thought I saw!
Love the video Neil , it was fun to whatsh Beautiful Comunitys .
Here in Pittsburgh suburb, we have a block-party for 10 years (breaking during covid). Your video made me thinking how I can help those awesome few who keeps it running.
Thank you!
Great Family Channel ! Family and Community and great volunteer spirit in your area indeed !
Small town living ! Got to Love it ❤
Absolutely beautiful.
I enjoy our small town events. Hatton, North Dakota has a 4th of July tradition of many fun events, including a kiddie parade, peddle tractor pull, the main parade, a demolition derby, & much, much more.
We have a similar community event yearly... parade, road race, rides, local nonprofit and for-profit vendors, music and let's not forget the FOOD, FUN and FIREWORKS!!! For years, my father was the "man in charge" but had an amazing bunch of volunteers who selflessly gave their time and expertise to lend a hand to make it all come together!!! Our festival is only a two day event, but it takes a year of planning and preparation!!!
It's such a wonderful tradition... the generations of families through the years, recalling memories of the past... watching the event evolve, yet stay the same...
It's a lot of work for just a couple of days... but TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!
Thank you for sharing Harlan Days with us!!!
Wow! I didn't think such things still happened and yours is the perfect size so no riff raff. Thanks for sharing it.
From North Central Ohio. There's something special about the smaller rural areas in "Flyover" country as those on the coasts call it.
What a kool festival! Thanks for sharing it with us, it's so nice to see something organically GOOD put on by a community, that it looks like everyone enjoys.
I'm sure there are small towns everywhere who still keep up with their traditions and most are because of the volunteerism of the community. Your town seems like a great place to be a part of that community. I really enjoy watching your videos whatever you are doing. This one was pretty special.
Thanks so much as always!
It is so good to see the kids working, a lesson for life. In 25 years time you will be helping your kids and grandkids. They will be telling you to take it easy while they do the heavy work
I hope so 😉
Thank you to share your life. I myself never have this type of experience . Nor my kids 12, 14 years old. I’m 56 don’t have the knowledge to have what you have a Freeform country living which are awesome in a community like yours.
I live in a small town not quite that small but it is all the spirit and I love it. People wave at other people and say hi.
Nice community. Precious thing, people really knowing each other, caring for each other and work together. This is paradise. Be proud of this!
Awesome community/family tradition. Thanks for bringing us along for the ride.
Great video Neil and I wish everyone a good day! From Northwestern Vermont.
WOW, Very Cool. It was a NICE VIDEO. Great job.
That is awesome! The memories made are worth every drop of sweat.
Can’t add a specific time to this comment. Once again, as you usually do. You wrap it up with something wise and very true. Family, commitment ,community and persevering through small and large day to day challenges. We’ll done. Refreshing to see thank you.
I am 68, and I was born in Indiana, lived in Plainfield until by Dad was transferred when I was 11. I still have family in Indy. I loved it there, and now that I just retired, I plan on coming up to visit with my camper next year. Maybe I can swing up there to Harlan for this. What a great community!
Very nice community participation!!👍🇺🇸
Me: what's this boring looking bucket bench video?
Me after: what a wonderful and inspiring video
Awesome event Neil. Thanks for taking me along to see all the hard work that the volunteers do. That's dedication to a wonderful family event. Thanks for sharing. Dan 😊
Hey Neil, it's Damian. I'm glad you used the old footage! And you got all the hometown heroes in! Thanks for all your hard work!
Hey thanks a bunch Damian!
Annual events are so fun. Reminds me setting up church picnics in our small town. And setting up Scout summer camp.
Neither had that amount of effort, but the sense of community and the coming together of familiar faces was the same.
Your park videos bring back so many memories as a kid of helping my grandparents at the park that was across the street. I do miss living in a small town and being a part of a community.
Seeing your community come together like this makes me want to sell my home here in South Bend, Indiana and move a couple hours to the East. This country certainly needs more communities like Harlan.
It's always nice seeing a tight knit community, makin memories together. congrats on another successful Harlan Days!!
How is the real estate market? I’m coming to set roots! Love your community and would be proud to be apart of it. Only wish I was twenty years younger 😬
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing. Small town festivals are the best.
What a lovely town , in this world today you are so very lucky. Thank you all for sharing . 👏👏👏
I subscribed to see the pond project randomly and heck I'm in Fort Wayne so darn close to Harlan.. didnt even know. Keep up the cool videos.
Cool! Thanks
Growing up in Southern Illinois, the small towns all had a carnival every year and in our town the profits from our carnival was used to cover the cost of the village Fire Department.
Well done Neil. The small town communities across the country are the real America. Thank you, your family and all of the volunteers for helping keep America alive! 🇺🇸💪
We used to have a festival like this when I was a kid....It has since morphed into an unfun, expensive Chinese goods market. I miss it so much from when I was a kid.
So cool! Big cities are missing out, the kids of Harlen are lucky!
I enjoyed this but the Soccer Tournament with the cars was extra special because it was also combined with the demolition derby style entertainment. Locally we have Tractor Pulls, Dirt Track racing, Go-Kart, Dirt bike racing, and Mower races. The best for me is watching a 5 hp Go-Kart run at 100 mi/hr around an oval track and even though it isn't the kids running those 100 mi/hr versions, there are races when the kids are the drivers of appropriately powered karts and they can be comical. Traditions are fun when you want them to be, glad you enjoyed your Harlan Days events. 😵💫👍
Amazing Neil. Just amazing. Dave
WOW, that’s all I can say, WOW!!! What a great video!
It's so nice to see family stick together. I never had a family or mom/dad that loved any of us children.
Wow that was awesome
Thanks for sharing the town and family's fun times, along with all the volunteers.
I live in NC and part of my job is visiting a plant in Iowa. Every time I drive through Iowa I can't help but think of how amazing it would have been to have grown up in the 50's, 60's or 70's in the rural midwest.
I loved this , brings back fond memories of the fish fry / carnival we used to have in our small town when I was younger , to bad it doesn’t happen anymore, thanks for sharing yours 😊👍
Harlan days looks awesome, i’d love to help set up and attend if I didn’t live across the country. Maybe some day :)
Well done mate! You and your home town volunteers did a great job... A bunch of legends... Greetings from Down Under
This is so cool, Neil. Thank you! I am very intrigued with the electrical grid set up. I'm not an electrician, but often wished I was, or at least hung with people who are and could teach, show, and tell.
I really enjoy these small town videos. It gives me optimism that contrary to the message of decisiveness so prevalent, there are thousands of small communities that meld tradition and future. I admire and enjoy you sharing these with us. Great video.
Loved the double entendre of the title as well lol
Damn son, you are so wholesome, even a loaf of vegan wheat bread is jealous! Love home my brother.
Hey Greg! We got all kinds of wholesome sauce up in here lately! Glad to see you still lurking in the comments. I don't always see them all these days so I"m sorry if I've missed some.
@@digdrivediy I'm always keeping an eye on you my brother. Sure, you have blown me off a few times, all good though. I just call Kara and remind her about the fireplace when you Don't reply. All works out in the end.
Thanks Neil. That was great.
I grew up in Tipton Indiana. They have the Pork Festival every year the first weekend after Labor Day. It takes a lot of volunteers and year around work to put it on. I will always remember our football team volunteering in the pork chop tent. Wonderful memories that will forever remain. ❤️ excellent video and much respect for your family's values. Those are passed down and some folks never had the opportunity to learn them.
@RocketLeague should sponsor the soccer derby
Looks like a great festival and good time, all for a great cause. Love to see your community always pull together .
That's amazing .... What a great community ... So great to see people come together and make that happen
Great project and GREATER community!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Super family entertainment!!
What a special place ❤
It’s so awesome to see communities that are so closely connected.
Loved it Neil. Grew up in a small town Eagle MI. Doing nearly exactly the same things. Looks like a wonderful time.
Love the small-town events. Great video. I grew up in a small town and miss living in one now.
As always Niel, my hats off to you! Being from a small town myself I’m not sure if it translates to everyone but I feel ya!! Take care my friend. Great video and thanks for all you do
Thanks so much Mike!
Small town festivals are so wholesome. I live in Fort Wayne but never heard about the soccer event. Looks like great fun.
Reminds me of my childhood hometown, LaCrescent Minnesota, where we had Applefest every year. Brings back so many memories! Thank you for sharing!!
Fabulous! Great event with great volunteer support! Thanks for sharing this!
Reminds me of the county fair where I grew up in NE Ohio. Fun times.
That's really awesome your town does that. Wish mine did
Lots of work but just as much fun. Great job. You never disappoint .
I appreciate that.
I just wrapped up a long week of volunteering at our local county fair (MN's largest county fair!) Thanks for putting into words what I've been thinking about a lot lately... why do we do this? For me, it's for the joy that it brings to so many people.
P.S. How long before you'll have to bury those electrical wires? Our inspectors are requiring overhead power lines to be buried for safety... which is no small (or cheap) feat at a large fairgrounds!
I'm hoping we can bury them in the next couple of years. We are working on a plan to build out a more permanent infrastructure for the future.