Step out of the car into a bygone era, the 1980s.
Welcome to a peaceful place as people gathered in the town square for the Dillo Praise event.
Kids passing a football, toddlers and babies enjoying the spring afternoon on their blankets, a smile on every face, a cordial hello to everyone.
Simply put, the Reckoning stepped into a world that most believe has vanished from America. That quaint slow life is still thriving in Hamburg.
Politics and social issues were not the focus. In fact, we never heard a word about either. Although the town's police walked around the square, the fear of crime was non-existent.
For 54 years folks have gathered in Hamburg during the spring for the World Famous Armadillo Festival. Legend has it that folks used to eat armadillos at the festival when it started in 1970.
"They say it tasted like potted meat," one woman told us.
These days, the festival includes racing armadillos, a carnival, bands, food trucks, car show, hamburger-eating contest, a cornhole tournament, beauty pageants, a pet show and more. (See a full schedule of events here.)
Festival organizers incorporated a "Dillo Praise: An Evening of Worship" this year on Wednesday night – church night for South Arkansas folks.
We strolled around Hamburg chatting before the singing started looking at all-things armadillo.
The two people behind the armadillo are Terry Riley and Aiyanna Breedlove, volunteers with PAWS – Pups Are Worth Saving. Riley, president, and Breedlove, a high school senior, explained how their organization cares for all the dogs in the local pound with only donations.
They were selling sweatshirts and raffle tickets. Folks could also simply drop dollars in a jar, too.
Harrison's, a local boutique, shop window was immaculately decorated for the festival.
In the carnival area, we watched a little girl having the time of her life on a merry-go-round horse without a care in the world. We also learned you could win a red-ear slider turtle if you threw enough balls into a cup. We passed.
The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce hosts the T-shirt and souvenir shop in its headquarters on the square. Stop in and bask in the Southern hospitality.
At 5:30 the music began promptly.
Folks gathered on the square flanked with bright yellow daylillies and vintage concrete benches sponsored by the Hamburg Garden Club for those who didn't have lawn chairs.
Although we were strangers in their community, everyone spoke and smiled. A welcoming slow-paced community is a rarity these days. One thing we noticed: People watched the performers and very few stared at their phones.
Watch the First Pentecostal Church of Crossett perform.
We also heard the Mt. Zion Male Chorus.
As the skies darkened with an impending storm, the huge American flag fluttered in the wind above the gazebo. Children kept playing football. The square's working clock kept time. The rain held off until the Wednesday worship ended.
As we walked to the car, we told a woman how blessed she was to live in a town like Hamburg, population 2,413. She seemed to recognize how lucky she was to live in a community that gives all to keep festivals and local businesses thriving.
Our words to her, "We'll be back soon."
And we will.
