his year, the Swine Time Festival will celebrate its 40th Anniversary on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Sponsored by the Climax Community Club, the annual Swine Time Festival has grown to become the largest project for the Community Club. Swine Time enables the Community club to sponsor college scholarships, help needy families and help those in disaster situations providing aid and comfort.

Grand Marshalls for this 40th Swine Time festival are Paschal Ward and Carlton Eakin.

Ward, Director of Bands at Bainbridge High School, has a unique understanding of the relationship between music and the development of the students to prepare them for the future. Ward’s marching band has been on national television four times, including the 75th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2001. He holds his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degree in Music education from Troy State University, studying with such noted bandsmen as Dr. Jon M. Long, Dr. Paul Yoder and Dr. William Revelli.

Ward is a member of the National Band Association, past Chairman of the Georgia Music Educators Association District Two and past member of the Board of directors for Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic. He is a member of GMEA and Honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity. Ward founded the Georgia Bandsmen Association and is presently the executive director of that organization. In 2006 he was chosen as a charter member of the High School Band Directors National Association. He has had several articles paced on the High School Band Directors instructional website.

In 1981 the Charles Henderson Band, under Ward’s direction, was chosen to attend and represent the entire United States at the International Festival of Marching Bands in London, England. The Charles Henderson Band is located in Troy, Alabama, where he taught for eight years.

Ward taught at Livingston University in Livingston, Alabama, as director of Bands and served as trumpet instructor. He is currently in his 30th year as Director of Bands and Coordinator of the Decatur County Instrumental Music Programs. The Bainbridge High School Band, under Ward’s direction, has more than tripled in size, maintained Superior Rating in both Marching and Concert competition and in these years has won numerous Grand Championships.

In 1996 Ward was selected by the National High School Band Director’s Hall of Fame as Band Director of the Year. He was inducted into this organization that same year. Ward is in demand as a clinician throughout the U.S. He served as the Marching Band director for Troy University High School Summer Band camp for six years.

He was awarded Outstanding Alumni Award in Music Education by Troy University and was selected a Star-Teacher for his school district. Ward has received numerous proclamations from Governors of both Alabama and Georgia regarding his work in the field of music education.

Recently he was recognized by the Georgia Music Education Association for his outstanding work and dedication to the field of music. In 2006 Ward was named “Man of the Year” by the City of Bainbridge. In January 2007 he was awarded the national Citizenship Education Teachers Award by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the State of Georgia.

Ward is married to Pam Ward and they have two daughters, Rachel and Emily.

Carlton was born in Climax, Georgia, Nov. 4, 1934. He graduated from Climax High School in 1954 and joined the Air Force the next day. While training in Denver, Colorado, he met his wife Radine and they married May 18, 1955.

Carlton was stationed in England with his wife when their two daughters were born. He also served in Florida, Montana, Arkansas, Germany, Korea and Italy. After retiring from the military in 1974, he was employed by Eastman Kodak in Colorado until he retired again in 1987. Climax’s native son, Carlton and Radine returned to Climax in 1996, where he remains a devoted member and deacon of Maranatha Baptist Church and a valued member of the Climax Community Club. For the last several years, Carlton has been the em-cee for the Special events stage, where he showed all how to eat chitlins among other things. His wife Radine has been the lady of the manor as hostess for the log cabin.

Among other things on the itinerary for Swine Time day after the parade, Master of Ceremonies Butch Mosely will introduce a special guest and have the Swine Time quilt auctioned off. Beginning at 11 a.m., Outlaw Willie Franklin and Blackwater will provide musical entertainment until 4:00 PM.

Don’t forget the activities at the special event stage with Chip Wrap helping with the em-cee.

Community Club officers are President Darlene Collins, Vice President Phillip Dodson, Secretary Cathy Griffin and Treasurer Virginia Wooten.

Everyone is invited to come out to Climax on Saturday after Thanksgiving and, as President Collins put it, “Have a Swine Time! Don’t miss the greasy pig chase! You will be glad you stayed!”