Summertime’s here!
Movies nightly, parade, fireworks,
political rally set for Fourth of July

By Lounita Howard, Editor
   You know summertime has arrived when Stardust Drive-In Theatre begins staying open seven nights a week instead of just three – which happens over the Memorial Day weekend. OK, so summer doesn’t begin until June 21, according to the calendar, but it’s 90-plus degrees outside and we can go to the movies every night - so it’s summertime around here!
Warm weather also brings a number of activities and events in Watertown – from the 4th of July parade to the Jazz Festival on the second Saturday in July.
   And during this big election year, Watertown will also host a political rally on the 4th of July, with candidates coming in to town to meet and greet, kiss babies, shake hands and give speeches.
Stardust, which opened in late August 2004, drew a lot of media attention to Watertown as the newest of a handful of drive-in movie theaters around the state.
   A second screen was added last year, and additional improvements have been made recently, according to Dawn Floyd, who with husband Barry are the owner/operators of the business.
“I really have enjoyed getting involved with the town,” says Dawn of having been a part of the business/civic community here for almost four years. “I have worked with the Sue Talley Scholarship Fund and enjoyed encouraging students to do bigger and better things.”
   She also enjoys being a part of the Watertown/East Wilson County Chamber of Commerce. On a personal note, Dawn says her family, which includes two young sons, enjoys when the train comes to town – especially the Easter Bunny Excursions.
   Asked about changes at Stardust this year, Dawn says they have added the Stardust Express Concession Trailer – staying with Watertown’s train theme. Over time they saw that the lines at their concession stand grew quite long, especially with the opening of the second screen last September.
   The Express Trailer is located in the field beside the concession stand. It will carry “quick, grab and go items,” says Barry, such as soft drinks, popcorn and candy, to help relieve congestion at the main concession stand. The Stardust Express will also make appearances in town when the trains from Nashville come through. “That will give the passengers another option in town,” Dawn says.
   The Floyds recently added a light shield under the second screen to alleviate problems they were experiencing with lights from the warehouses in the industrial park.
In other summer activities, the Watertown/East Wilson Chamber of Commerce will again host the only 4th of July parade held in Middle Tennessee. This year’s parade theme is “Revolutionary.”
   Organizers said they would love to see “George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and other founding fathers” in the parade. Float themes could include Valley Forge, the Boston Tea Party, the signing of the Declaration of Independence or other historic events. Perhaps Paul Revere could reprise his famous ride!
With this being the biggest election year in eight years, the Watertown Political Rally will take place on the 4th of July at Three Forks Municipal Park after the parade. It will include a cake walk and bake sale to raise funds for the expansion of the city park.
   Following any fireworks between candidates, there will be REAL fireworks starting around dusk.
If your church, civic group, fraternal organization, Scout troop or other organization or individual/family is interested in participating in this Watertown tradition, call Diann at 237-9338 or e-mail diann@vancelaw.org. Deadline for entries is June 28.

Outfit your ride at Tyree’s
Car audio business opens in Watertown

June 1, 2006 Issue

By Michele Tutt, Gazette Staff
   Both the younger, music loving crowd and moms with hyperactive children facing long car rides will welcome a new business in Watertown.
   From custom car audio sound systems to automotive DVD players, the town’s newest commercial addition aims to please.
Tyree’s Car Audio, owned by Ben Tyree and Roosevelt Beard, is officially open for business at 210 E. Main St., where they will be selling brand name systems along with offering installation for audio and visual equipment for automobiles and homes, along with car alarm systems.
   Tyree has been a car stereo installer for 21 years, most recently with a Lebanon company. Beard is a graduate of Nashville Auto Diesel College and is employed with Burchett Ford. Both will keep their second jobs while getting their business established. Tyree, who will soon become a dad, delivers for Papa John’s Pizza as a side job.
   Tyree says he can install the popular ear-popping audio systems popular with younger drivers, while also putting in visual systems for the van mom, allowing her children to get absorbed in watching Sponge Bob on DVD .
   Tyree’s Car Audio will also eventually be doing body work on cars – from fixing minor fender damage to completing full blown custom jobs. Tyree said that the garage area of the building will be able to hold six to seven cars. The building they are located in most recently was home to the Watertown-Alexandria Arts Guild’s gallery, on the west side of the fire department and across the street from Hidden Treasures.
   Tyree has won honors at many car shows and has been seen on cable’s Speed Channel. He appeared on McGuire’s Car Crazy show and completely redid the interior of a 2005 Hummer and fitted it with an “awesome stereo system.”
   Tyree said he chose Watertown for his business because it is a “centralized location with the ability to draw people from as far away as Smithville.” He also said he loves the town’s good, wholesome atmosphere. Tyree, a Mason, lives in Grant but is a former Watertown resident and used to be a volunteer fireman for the city.
   The new business will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tyree’s Car Audio phone number is 237-BASS (237-2277). Their first day of business is June 1, and they are planning a grand opening for June 24 when they will be holding a drawing for a Blaupunkt car stereo and raising funds for charity.

June 1, 2006 Issue

photo by Visionary Design Group, Watertown

Cutting the ribbon

John and Amanda Knox, with son Bailey, are joined by Watertown Chamber of Commerce Secretary Robin Vance in cutting the ribbon at their business, Bright Ideas Tattoo. The studio, located at 106 Public Square, Watertown, provides custom tattooing and piercing and also serves as an art gallery - showing the original works of area artists. The Knoxes also have a shop in the Phoenix, Ariz., area.