By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
One of the biggest annual events of the year arrives this weekend. The 42nd Annual Festival on the Square kicks off with shoes kicking up at a street dance. Starting at 7 p.m. Friday, July 7 the Joe Average Band will provide live music in front of Chinquapin’s. The streets will close a couple of hours before so make sure to get there early. Bring your own chairs and be ready to dance, or just clap and tap along.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9 the main event opens on the Hayesville Square. More than 80 artists and crafters from around the southeast will fill the lawns in the shadow of the Historical Clay County Courthouse Beal Center, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Oil paintings to watercolors and acrylics will be displayed, along with pottery, jewelry, candles and fiber arts. Handmade knives are always popular, along with metal art, soaps, birdhouses, photography and wood creations are just some of the items available. Artistic demonstrations will be done by some of the artists in their booths, photography, gourds, paintings, embroidered pillows and glass items.
Fresh-cooked food by The Copper Door will be available to eat on-site or take home for later. The menu includes barbecue sandwiches and plates, baked beans, slaw, hot dogs and brats, as well as garden wraps, Cajun turkey wraps, Mexican corn and kettle chips. Beverages offered are water, sweet and unsweet tea, Coke products and lemonade. Top it off with a dessert of brownies or cookies as you enjoy live entertainment in the gazebo.
The free shows continue all weekend with various soloists, bands, dance groups and some standard Appalachian entertainment.
Saturday’s schedule includes:
• 10 a.m. - Folk School Cloggers
• 12 p.m. - Rob Tiger
• 1 p.m. - Wyatt Espalin
• 2 p.m.- Whiskey Mountain Band
Sunday’s entertainment schedule is:
• 12 p.m. - Colton James
• 1 p.m. - Emolyn Liden and Friends
• 2:30 p.m. - Troy Underwood
From 11 a.m. to4 p.m., a children’s tent will offer kids their own arts and crafts, games and take home projects. Only children over the age of six will be accepted without a parent present and all parents will complete a form before leaving children.
Sponsored by the Clay County Historical Arts Council, admission to the Festival on the Square and all entertainment is free except barbecue, drinks and baked goods which are sold to benefit CCHAC, which supports the Old Jail Museum and various art and history events for the schools and the community. CCHAC receives support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural and Natural Resources. CCHAC is a 501C non-profit, operated entirely by volunteers.
Along with The Copper Door, who provides food, other local sponsors help make the Festival on the Square happen for the community and visitors. Without these businesses and groups the Festival on the Square would likely not be possible. Sponsors are: The Town of Hayesville, Chatuge Family Practice, Sonja Silvers Realty Group, Dr. Julie Ledford Dentistry, Dr. Jason Shook Family Dentistry, George’s Paint and Hardware, Clay County Lions Club, Mountain Streams Real Estate, Inc., Contour Authentic Pilates, and Jacky Jones Chrysler Dodge Jeep.
For details visit: www.clayhistoryartsnc.org.