By Becky Long
Publisher
Historical & Arts Council’s 40th anniversary event a hit with vendors, visitors alike
Clouds threatened most of the weekend, but for the most part the sun won out and crowds flocked to the weekend’s Festival on the Square in Hayesville.
The 40th year turned out to be what many vendors and attendees described as “one of the best,” for crowd size and vendor sales.
“It has been wonderful,” said Linda Carringer from her Town Mountain Farm and Mountain Soapery booth.
“It’s been crowded and everyone just seems to be in a good mood.
Carringer sold out of her popular goat cheese on Saturday and her goat milk soap was selling at a rapid pace, even on Sunday which is typically a slower day and brought a few intermittent showers.
The food area featured a variety of fare prepared by Copper Door including bratwurst, hotdogs, barbecue sandwiches and turkey wraps, among other items.
Lines for the food and the shady, covered dining area were steady throughout Saturday.
One of the most popular offerings appeared to be the corn on a cob, smoked in the shuck with a lime mayonnaise rub and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and chilli powder. By Sunday afternoon the food tent was sold out of corn on the cob.
Entertainment was also touted as some of the best in memory starting with Friday’s Street Dance featuring Moe Buckner and Our Way Band to the young dancers and cloggers and singers and bands that performed througout the weekend.
Last year’s event was cancelled because of Covid-19 which may account for some of the increase in crowd size, but the quality of the festival continues to grow with each year and that may be the real reason.
With 40 years under the belt, the Clay County Historical & Arts Council knows how to put on a show.
“I’ve been coming here 21 or 22 years,” said Clay County’s own Mike Wilson of Wilson Knives. “Saturday’s sales were very good. It’s been one of the best.”