Why do we call it Hometown Days?
A few years ago we decided that 'the city celebration' wasn't much of a name and so we had a Name the Celebration Contest. We had 99 entries and several names kept popping up. One of those was Hometown Days. The first person to suggest it was Mark Daines, past mayor of Hyde Park. His explanation that came with the name was especially heartwarming. Here is what he wrote: "While Hyde Park may not sport a unique industry or agricultural product to brag about, it has over the years sent many of its sons and daughters out from its borders where they have excelled and achieved in their chosen vocations, areas of interest and provided meaningful service to the people of the earth. Perhaps it would be very appropriate to invite them back to their roots where they can reminisce and visit with family and friends. This is one area never to be dated nor lose interest. Reference to it will never grow old!" "Let us make it an invitation that we can all come together and enjoy the present as we reconnect with the past, and focus efforts on the future."
Hometown conjures up sweet memories of the carefree days of growing up, playing with friends, discovering new places, making huts, night games, riding bikes etc. Hometown makes you think of people who wave as they drive by, warm smiles, and neighbors watching out for each other. Hometown includes those that have been here for generations, or maybe just 1 generation, 1 year, or one week. You might not have grown up in Hyde Park but we invite everyone to make it your Hometown now! And we invite everyone to celebrate our beautiful hometown this July in our Hyde Park Hometown Days. We'll have a big hometown party!
