A bunch of neighbors in and around Shady Drive got together Saturday afternoon to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend.

Held at the Pickle “Casa,” the gathering was billed as the Shady Grove Memorial Day Picnic, and Lavon Pickle and his wife held nothing back. Grills and tables were set up under the portico of the famous “Taj Garage,” the elaborate workshop/man cave Pickel has cultivated over the years.

“We try to keep something stirred up,” said Richie Wade, who has lived on the street for almost 25 years. 

“Stirred up,” indeed. Neighbors of all ages arrived carrying various summer offerings, while the children screamed as they climbed on some inflatable water slide next door in the Fishers front yard.

Pickle was too busy slaving over a grill flipping hamburgers to talk to media types, so that job fell to Wade. Wade said that fliers were passed out to give the neighborhood a heads-up on the festivities. Get-togethers like this have been happening on Shady for several years.

“We did one last year,” he said. “It was kind of a birthday party/Memorial Day event with Burl Fisher, a veteran. He was 90 years old and just passed.”

Wade said these types of gatherings are beneficial for everyone in the area.

“Lots of neighbors take a little time to shake hands and appreciate each other,” Wade said.