The first Nibroc. I remember it well. I was two weeks shy of my 13th birthday and the carnival rides were what interested me most. The first carnival, much smaller by today’s standards, was located at the corner of 7th and Main streets.
The big question that year was what to name the festival. The Chamber of Commerce ran a contest for naming it and Nibroc, Corbin spelled backwards, was chosen. This was puzzling to many people, and still is to some, but the name of the festival has survived for 73 years.
The festival started as a community affair and stayed that way until businesses started vacating the area and moving out to shopping centers.
Those early years were fun. Most stores decorated their windows with memorabilia, clerks dressed in old-fashioned costumes, men grew beards and mustaches. It was a time when you knew most people attending the festival.
The festival continued to grow and the location of the festival and carnival changed from place-to-place. One place in particular I remember was on Wilson Street, located near the football field and Rotary Park. It was then that I took my date, and future wife, Judy Holman, and rode the ferris wheel.
As usual, in the month of August, a thunderstorm quickly approached, and the ferris wheel lost power while we were at the top of it. We could see the lightning flashing in the distance. Suffice to say that is the last time that my wife of 61-plus years ever rode a ferris wheel.
Some of the best years for Nibroc were the concert years in which Chamber of Commerce Director Bruce Carpenter brought in big name stars to perform. Of course, this cost big money. With corporate donations, combined with tourism and city allocations, it was possible for this to happen. Thousands attended those concerts.
Bruce has always worked hard and long hours to make Nibroc the best that it could be. This has also required the help of many volunteers, which is still needed.
I have attended almost all of the festivals, and there are so many stories I could share. One I like best is the 50th anniversary of the festival. Everything was perfect that year, including ideal weather night and day, in addition to the big stage which featured the performances of Corbin’s own Gary Edwards, who had been performing previously in Las Vegas, and star comedian from East Bernstadt, Carl Hurley. There were also big tents set up at Nibroc Park and at the location which is now the Farmers Market, and both had activities going day and night.
I also want to share about the times that the play, “The Last Train to Nibroc,” was performed at Nibroc. I first heard about the play from my daughter, Ashley, who lives in Connecticut. She saw it in New York and she let out a loud surprised sound when she heard the location of Woodbine coming from one of the actors. Obviously, nobody else in the audience knew why she had that reaction, but she was the only one familiar with the location. That famous play by award-winning writer Arlene Hutton has played across the United States. I would like to see it as an addition to some future festivals. Look it up on YouTube for more information.
There is always something new and different at every Nibroc. I always hope for good weather. Nibroc is happening this week, so check the schedule in this edition of the News Journal and make your plans.
