Posted October 8, 2002

To tell someone that a town's population increases 20 fold because of a special event certainly would grab their attention.  That very thing happened this past weekend in the tiny town of Hazel, KY - population 440.

The 13th Annual Hazel Celebration was kicked off Friday evening, October 4th, 2002, with a community chili supper and gospel concert featuring Southern Sound.  On Saturday the 5th, festivities were in full swing with a parade, flea market, food vendors, a pageant, music, lots of antique shopping, and so much more.  The theme of this year's celebration was "Oh, Those Golden School Days" with honoring the Hazel High School teachers.  The school closed in 1960.

Hazel is busier than most towns its size because of the 15 antique stores representing hundreds of dealers.  But an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 extra people in town is something Hazel folks aren't used to.  But they don't mind - just take a look at what was in their backyard that day...