In putting together articles for Market Day, we noticed something that was very disturbing &045;&045; mainly the number of empty booths on the page.

Each year, the Times-Journal puts out a special section that tells people about Market Day and the Tale-Telling Festival. The centerpiece of this section is a two-page guide to the booths that will be at Market Day.

In 2000, all but the last block of Market Day had their booths sold, which is roughly close to 350 booths. In 2001, there were a few more holes.

This year, there are many holes.

Elise Blackwell, coordinator of Market Day, pointed out some of the problems that cause a slow year &045;&045; the economy, competiting festivals, etc. There has also been a decline in interest for country crafts, another reason that there are more empty holes on the page.

An event such as Market Day does not need to be filled with empty holes. That, and the Tale-Telling Festival, are a pair of events that Selma has grown to be famous for. The Tale-Telling Festival, for example, got a nod from Southern Living in their October issue.

These two events go hand in hand, with attendees from one going to the other. They have also been around about the same time, with the Tale-Telling Festival getting a few years head start on the Market Day. Market Day wouldn’t be the same without the Tale-Telling Festival and vice versa.

Blackwell phoned Wednesday with good news &045;&045; there were more people calling wanting booths at Market Day. Perhaps there will be close to a full house on Saturday and Selma can take advantage of the influx of people into town.

Market Day and the Tale-Telling Festival are two of the most positive things this city has to offer. Let’s make sure there are not any holes for people to find when they come here.