Barren County-Glasgow Spirit Fest

Glasgow High and Barren County Schools join forces

By T. Wampler, Jobe Sports 

Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd likes it when a plan comes together. Byrd was beaming last week during the first-ever Barren County-Glasgow Spirit Fest. The support and turnout she received last Wednesday night for the community pep rally was tremendous.

Byrd says it’s the first time they have tried something like this and she loved seeing all the students and families gathered together in the square.

“The idea came to mind as an opportunity to bring the community together with school spirit,” Byrd said. “It is more than just about the football game. This event is about recognizing all students, whether they will be watching the game in the stands, cheering, or playing in the band. or playing other fall sports—they all are important. They all matter to us.”

The celebration was located right in the middle of Glasgow Square and brought the whole county together in an effort to show their spirit for their local schools. The streets were blocked off and filled with students, fans, and supporters from Barren County and Glasgow High Schools.

Local businesses and government buildings were decorated in burgundy and gold or blue and white.

The festivities featured the Glasgow High School and Barren County High School cheerleaders. Both squads performed several cheers and sang their fight songs to get the crowd fired up before the football game scheduled for Friday night. It was the first time since 2016 that the Trojans and Scotties had met on the gridiron.

“Every year I went to high school, the game was my favorite memory, win or lose, and I am just so happy that it is back,” Byrd said. “We want all these kids to have that memory.”

Byrd also has a strong connection to both schools through her parents. Her mother was the cheer coach at BCHS for 43 years and her father played football and graduated from GHS.

The event included other activities for students to take part in including free shaved ice and ice cream, a mechanical bull to ride, and a dunking booth. The large crowd was enthusiastic and once the cheerleaders were finished, students milled around the square either participating in one of the activities or watching others enjoy themselves.

Byrd loves recognizing student-athletes, “I love to be able to offer opportunities like this that can bring the community together and everyone benefits,” said Byrd. “It’s just another way for people to get together. Barren County-Glasgow has great athletics, great kids, and they deserve all the recognition we can give them in all sports and activities they participate in.”

“I just love school spirit and I love Barren County,” Byrd said with a big smile as she surveyed the square, her eyes darting from one area to another. “I want to make sure that every school in Barren County knows that we support them. I am very pleased with the turnout and honored with the support we’ve received from everyone at both schools.”

“It’s been great,” she added. “It’s kind of cool to see an idea come to life and people buy into it.”

Byrd said she fully intends to make this an annual event.

“Everyone from both schools have been wonderful to work with and we are going to continue to do this,” Byrd concluded. “It is my first year as Barren County Judge Executive and I want to provide more opportunities for our schools to work together, and to have a positive and safe environment for students and families to come together and just have fun.”