Never was an event more true to its theme than Holleyfest 2004. The sixth annual “fly-in / camp-out” community open house and pilots block party, dedicated this year to the proposition of being a “good neighbor,” took flight as scheduled October 8 and 9 at Holley Mountain Airpark, near the City of Clinton in Northcentral Arkansas. There was one hitch, however. There were no planes.

Prepped to accommodate 1000 to 1200 aviation enthusiasts, with over 250 pilots pre-registered for the FAA Wings Safety Program, the skies spilled over with rain all weekend.

The campfire circle, planned for Friday night (pictured above) turned into a lake.

Frosting the ironic cake, this was the second year in a row that the annual event succumbed to stormy weather. “In 2003, we at least had a forecast for clear skies for Sunday and we were able to carry things over,” said Jim Collom, Airpark developer and president of AR01. “But this year, the front stalled right over us and showed no signs of relief.”

Yet still, over the course of the weekend, roughly 200 aviation enthusiasts arrived by ground and one pilot did actually fly-in for the event, however he landed on Thursday. Friday night festivities, moved indoors to Jim & JoAnn Collom's hangar, featured an evening of music, tall tales, good food, camaraderie and fun.

At left, Clarence Phillips sings "Among the Stars and Cedar Trees," a poem written by James Harness, set to music by Joe Tebo, and performed at Holleyfest by the Lost Creek Band, featuring Alan Rolen, lead guitarist, and several members of the Rolen family.

The comedic wit of Kathy Boone (below right), who serves as Postmaster in Choctaw, brought peals of laughter from the crowd as she portrayed a sullied woman, castigating John Hastings of Clinton Cable (below on the left with Jim Collom on the right) for two-timing her with his wife...!!!

A cadre of local celebs mixed and mingled, including (L-R, below), Bill Collom, Office Manger of Holley Mountain Airpark, Jim Burnett, Past Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Jim Collom, Developer of Holley Mountain Airpark, Sid King of KGFL/KHPQ Radio, and Don Richardson, former Mayor of the City of Clinton and past Confidential Assistant to the Chief of Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

At right, Sid King regaled the crowd with his first hand account of the Damascus Missile Silo Crisis and Titan II Missile Explosion. "I figured my Dodge Omni would outrun a nuclear blast," he chuckled with hindsight, while acknowledging that the incident was both frightening and tragic for all involved.

Holleyfest Planners (pictured at left) scurried about busily moving festivities indoors.

A hardy array of vendors and exhibitors, like Patti Allen of Quilt In Time (above) and KD BBQ (at right) set up shop and opened for business.

Pictured at right, the man to the right is our Honda Goldwing riding partner and true native of Holley Mountain for most of his 79 years, Thurman Elliot.

Concluding the morning agenda, the VFW District 6 Ladies Auxiliary Color Guard (above and at right) presented and posted The Colors, followed in succession by the event dedication, invocation and lunch.

Below: Table decor was provided by members of the Holley Mountain Property Owners Association, Inc.

"Myself, Bill and our sister Linda, who now resides in in Wisconsin, grew up in a home WITHOUT a lot of the finer things of life," Jim Collom recalled. "However we did have the most important thing, and that was unconditional love from both of our parents, along with the teachings to be honest, kind and believe in self and what you do."

Collom additionally praised "the many employees of the Federal Aviation Administration who descend upon Van Buren County this one weekend a year, from around the state, to provide their aviation safety and education services."

"Without all of these people," Collom lauded, "we would not be here today. This event would not be possible but for the many hours of their relentless work!"

Collom described the many changes that have come to the Airpark since January of 1999, when the now blacktopped 2A2 runway was a "long 100 ft wide muddy thing running thru our property" and he woke up many mornings asking himself: "What have you done this time, BOY?"

"We started this Airpark dream with the attitude that it would be the BEST or it wouldn’t happen!" Collom reminisced. "JoAnn & I both believed in what this place is to become. You notice I said 'Is to become,' because we are far from completing all the goals we set for Holley Mountain Airpark!"

Collom spoke with admiration for the "first handful of residents that trusted us. You know who you are," he elaborated. "You are the guys that didn’t even have a road to your properties, only BIG piles of brush in your way, when you bought in. We’ve come a long way together," Collom acknowledged, also sharing accolades with the banking professionals who believed in the dream and backed the project financially.

The above Memorial Park, located just inside the Airpark's gated entrance and adjoining the Community Postal Facility on Airpark Blvd., is dedicated to the Colloms' parents, "Papa Punch & Mimi"

Aviation enthusiasts of all ages enjoyed quality family time at Holleyfest.

"We are here for another important dedication today," Collom addressed a focal recognition of this year's Holleyfest event. Citing the coincidence of Holleyfest being held during National Fire Prevention Week, he said it made the tribute of naming the Holley Mountain Airpark Fire Department's fire station in honor of Dan Davison, the First Fire Chief of Atlanta, Texas, doubly appropriate.

Calling Mary Beth Davison-James and Danny Clayton to the podium, Collom thanked the former Fire Chief's family for making the trip from their home in Shreveport, Louisiana, to personally accept this tribute of appreciation.

Bill Collom, Danny Clayton, Mary Beth Davison-James and Jim Collom.

"Unfortunately, Dan passed away in 1975," Collom continued. "But the training, guidance and confidence he gave me remains a part of my life, today." Collom's unabashed expression of reverence, offered with obvious affection and high regard, rippled through the Holleyfest gathering with the powerful warmth of a brotherly hug.  "We at Holley Mountain Airpark are honored and happy to honor our beloved friend, Fire Chief Dan Davison, and to present you, Mary Beth and Danny, with a plaque in memoriam of his legacy to the people's lives he touched along the way, by naming the Holley Mountain Airpark Fire Department facility in his name, The Dan Davison Emergency Center."