Recommended coon shows in the area?

[Virginia Day Templeton]

My niece Eva is coming with her son Rudolph to stay with Gary and me next weekend—he's four years old and the most beautiful blue-eyed prince anyone could ask for. They're from the West Coast, and I'm planning to give them a tour of Freehold so they can get a sense of our unique and rich culture. I know the area is famous for its minstrel shows, but I haven't really checked out the scene much since moving here—can anyone give some recommendations? I think I read in the Clarion that Shuck and De Pennyloafers are performing at the Community Theater on Tuesday.

Here's a shot of Eva and Rudolph at a family gathering. Isn't he just darling?

[Daisy Mae Johnson]

Re: Recommended coon shows in the area?

Oh my GOD Sister! What a precious ANGEL you have there. Why, just look at that golden blonde hair and precious blue eyes. THERE is a soldier for CHRIST!

Perhaps you should ring Brother Worthington. He seems to be the most up-to-date with Freehold's Minstrel shows.

Lve, Sister Thumper

[WilliamJenningsBryan]

Re: Recommended coon shows in the area?

What a warm, loving display of family values, Sister Templeton. Such fair skinned youngsters need to be shielded from the sun and I see several family members care enough to help out, one of them is even teaching the little one to wave at the camera.

[H. Montague Worthington]

Re: Recommended coon shows in the area?

Sister V, I found the Freehold Summer Events Schedule in an old e-mail. Minstrel Days isn't until the last weekend in July, but there are smaller coon show presentations at some of the other events, such as the Jigaboo Chase Fun Run, and the White American Heritage Handicrafts and Art Fair. Also, the Dew Drop Inn on Indian Massacre Road and the Jimmy Bob's Place on Rt. 42 have coon shows on Tuesdays and Thursdays.


Freehold Pork Festival, May 11-20, Freehold County Fairgrounds
The ninth annual Freehold Pork Festival is a celebration of everything pig. Enjoy home-cooked pork recipes from around the county. Shop for pig-inspired arts and crafts—paintings, stuffed animals, wood carvings, quilts, and pillows. And be sure to see the re-match between NewsCenter 38 anchorwoman Jo Ann Stevens and Oinky McOinky in the Woman Vs. Pig wrestling match.

Freehold Founders Days, May 17-20, Main St. between Helms and Lewis, Downtown Freehold
The City of Freehold honors its founding with a re-enactment of the Indian "relocation" by the slaves, er, servants of the founders. Learn how the founders made rudimentary trampolines from the skins of Indian children. The teepee torching and “rifle salute” at sundown is a timeless Freehold tradition.

Jigaboo Chase Fun Run, May 16th, Downtown Freehold
Join 950 other Freehold area runners in a 5K “mock” jigaboo chase. This year’s guest jigaboo: movie and television actor Billy Dee Williams.

Taste of Freehold, May 29-June 12, Nathan Bedford Forrest Square, Downtown Freehold
Sample the diverse tastes of Freehold’s many interesting restaurants in bite-sized portions. Among the popular bill of fare: Fried Pancakes from Aunt Polly’s Family Restaurant; Garlic Breadsticks from Olive Garden®; Fried Pork skins from T.J. O’Bennigan’s Family Food Factory™; Potato Ice Cream from R.J. McStuffingham’s Good Time Food Company®; and Bologna and Peanut Butter Sandwiches on Wonder Bread from Freehold Diner.

Minstrel Days, July 27-29, City Hall Lawn, Main St. and Lewis, Downtown Freehold
Not many people know that Freehold originated many of the Jim Crow laws that were adopted throughout the state during the late 1800s. Minstrel Days is a delightful festival that allows Freeholders to re-live those bygone times with minstrel shows, watermelon eating contests, a Dunk the Uppity Jigaboo machine, an historical re-enactment of the Freehold Lynchings of 1937, and period arts and crafts.

White American Heritage Handicrafts and Art Fair, August 17-19, Freehold Convention Center
The 38th Annual White American Heritage Handicrafts and Art Fair presents dozens of folk artists, arts and crafts vendors, musicians, storytellers and hobbyists displaying a wide variety art and handicrafts from White American culture. Enjoy banjo players, baked goods, antiques, NASCAR souvenirs, Klan memorabilia, coon shoots, lynch noose tying contests, and marksmanship contests.

True Christian™ Praise Music Jamboree, September 21-23, Stephen Collins Foster Concert Hall, Landover Baptist University
Over 28 different acts will perform as America's greatest True Christian Praise Musicians gather for a weekend of glorious music at Landover Baptist University's Stephen Collins Foster Concert Hall, including The Cooper Family feat. Joyce Cooper, The Christian Crusaders, Rev. Frank Gonzales and The God Squad, The McKeithens, The McDonald Sisters, Ol' Brother Wilfred's Traveling Gospel Singers, The Men's Ministry Choir, and Ratt.