Polk County Walk of Fame Unveiled to Public in Cedartown
Dignitaries from near and far joined family members and onlookers Saturday to finally see what was hiding underneath the tarps at the Polk County Courthouse.
The statues that adorned the Polk County Sports Walk of Fame were met with applause and the audience got even more news: The Walk of Fame committee isn’t done yet with its work.
Committee member and city commissioner Dale Tuck said during opening remarks that locals are seeking to include Escue Rogers, a local civil rights leader and coach at Cedar Hill High School.
“Hopefully next time we’re here — and it won’t be this hot — we’ll be unveiling his statue, a recognition we all know is so richly deserved,” Tuck said.
Underneath black tarps covered for the week were the life-sized creations of sculptor Julia Knight who captured the spirit and determination of the first six athletes who were honored as the first in the Walk of Fame. Those included Howard “Doc” Ayers, Ray Beck, Edgar Chandler, Jimmy Hightower, Doug Sanders and Whitlow Wyatt.
Also on hand was former University of Georgia Bulldogs head football coach Vince Dooley, who said that he felt it a fitting tribute for Ayers and Chandler to be remembered forever in bronze.
“Polk County should be proud, and it continues to produce people that are talented and work hard,” he said.
