DUANE SHERRILLEditor

Hundreds flocked to the campus of Damron’s Restaurant Tuesday afternoon on a nice fall day to enjoy the annual fall festival aimed to provide food and fun for members of the community.

The restaurant offers a free meal to anyone who wants one on Tuesday night; however, this past Tuesday night was special as they not only offered meals, but trick or treat for the kids along with an assortment of games. They have been doing the Tuesday night at Damron’s for six and a half years, according to owner Gloria Damron, who noted their regular Tuesday night event – Come to the table – offers a free meal with no questions asked. The free meal is held each Tuesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the restaurant on West Lincoln.

“It is all donation based,” Damron said, concerning the complementary meals on Tuesdays. “We treat everybody equal. They just walk in the door.”

Gloria said that she and her friend Jennifer started talking about seven years ago about needing to help with the youth.

“We decided these kids needed a meal and someone to talk to,” she said. “So we just opened the door. On our first night we had 17 people but it was three degrees out.”

Gloria said Come to the Table is now averaging 140 to 160 per week. She added those who want to help out with the effort can make donations or they can volunteer to help. Those wanting to help can come by at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and they will be done by 6 p.m.

The Fall Festival this past Tuesday saw about 240 people come and enjoy food and drinks along with kid’s games like a bounce house, ring toss, cake walk, bobbing for apples and an assortment of events. The Tullahoma Fire Department and Fire Pup were there showing off the fire engines and posing for pictures while highway patrolmen participated in trick or treat for the kids as bucket-loads of candy was given out. The event was made possible by a number of volunteers who helped coordinate the events within the festival.