Hertford County BBQ Is Senator Fred Smith's 59th

Wednesday morning the Senator Fred Smith Bus for the 100 County BBQ Tour pulled in to the parking lot beside the Ahoskie Inn. This is the location for Fred's 59th BBQ in this statewide tour. With this being the 59th, Senator Smith is well past halfway in his campaign for Governor.




Joe Avery (shown above right rear), Republican Party Chairman for 2nd District was along for this event, along with Joe Humphries (on left) and Deidre Jersey (in middle). All are old friends and it was good to see them.




Bill Fields, Eastern North Carolina Campaign Manager and Joe Humphries, set up the front desk for registration in anticipation of a big crowd.




As people arrived, Senator Fred Smith spends time greeting them. Here he meets the Bridgers.




John Tayloe, Vice President of Development for our local Chowan University spent some time updating Senator Smith on recent improvements at the University.




Jeff Whelan and his family performed for the event and provided some great music.




There was a great crowd present, and when they got started, Dan Phillips (shown below), Hertford County Republican Party Chairman acted as Master of Ceremonies.




Ellen Whelan (shown below) gave the invocation.




Byran Buck led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.




Deidre Jersey led the crowd in singing the National Anthem.




After everyone had eaten, they played the standard Fred Smith introductory video while Fred waited to be introduced. The Video always ends with the playing of the Lee Greenwood written campaign song. Click here to listen.





Fred gave his usual campaign speech, in which he talks about why he is going to all the effort to visit all 100 counties in North Carolina at least once each during this primary campaign. He tells about growing up in the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh, and the struggles in business which ultimately were rewarded by success.





Senator Fred Smith spoke of his love for our State of North Carolina, and his belief that government is out of touch with what the majority of people want. He talked about the things that make us great and the things that help us enjoy the freedom of our great nation America. These talks are always a great dialogue, and in Hertford County there were a number of questions about illegal immigration and its impact on the future of our nation and state. This issue seems to be getting more and more focus.Though I have seen Fred make a powerful speech in a more formal environment, these talks are always low key, personal and sincere. It is part of what makes them such a great connection between Fred and the people who come out.




When he finishes his speech there are always a great number of people who want Fred to autograph his biography for them. Here Jean Pratt (shown above on left) gets her copy signed.




The meeting was closed by singing "God Bless America", led by Deidre Jersey. This is the traditional way that Fred closes his BBQs and it is always a great ending.

Afterwards everyone loaded up on the campaign bus (shown at the door of the Ahoskie Inn above) to head out for the Chowan County BBQ.

Fred really lives the theme of his autobiography, "The difference between good and great is a little extra effort." The Hertford County stop on the Fred Smith Statewide BBQ Tour was a resounding success thanks to all the great people who came out.