The 14th Annual Green Creek Heritage Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Green Creek Community Center in Green Creek.
The festival had its start in the spring of 1999, when Dr. Don McIntyre, then pastor of Green Creek First Baptist Church, birthed the idea of a festival depicting life in Green Creek 100 years ago. His desire was to offer to the community and surrounding area a day of fun, with a look back at how residents’ ancestors lived their daily lives. The festival was held at the Green Creek Community Center, Inc. and many demonstrations were given that day of the tasks inside and outside a turn of the century home. Antiques were on display and area history was shared with young and old.
Today, the Green Creek Community Center Board of Directors oversees the plans for the festival. The ideas from the first festival are still in place with many artisans demonstrating various crafts. A main concern from the beginning and still today was to keep the cost as low as possible so everyone could afford to come. Parking and admission are free. The only costs are for food and the purchase of craft items.
“We are very excited about this year’s festival and look forward to a record crowd.”
New this year is The Edge of Polk Cross-Country 5K to be held Thursday, Sept. 6. Registration begins at the white building off of Green Creek Drive at 6:30 p.m., with the race to begin at 7 p.m.
Also on that night, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., there will be a Poor Man’s Supper consisting of ham, pinto beans, corn bread and desserts. 5-K participants will receive a free meal ticket with their registration.
The festival parade has increased in participants each year; organizers said they would like to include as many area organizations as possible. If your civic club, church or school organization, or scout troop would like to participate in the parade, you can register with Francine Costner at 828-863-4065.
The finale to the parade is the Firemen’s Barrel Roll Competition, now in its eighth year. Local fire departments that would like to participate should contact Michael Herman at 828-817-4049.
An antique car, truck and tractor show will be featured again this year. Registration begins at 7 a.m. You can preregister for this event by contacting David Waldrop at 828-863-4071. Last year more than 80 cars were on display and more are expected this year.
The craft fair, organized by Susie Kimbrell, includes many crafters who will be on site showing and selling their wares. Contact Kimbrell at 828-863-4896 if you would like to reserve a booth to show and/or sell your craft. Also, If you are an artisan who would enjoy demonstrating your craft contact Krista Haynes at 828-817-0194.
David Wallace will again cook the BBQ this year, and David Page of Green Creek will smoke the chicken leg-quarters. Barbecue plates and sandwiches will be offered, along with hotdogs, ice cream, popcorn, lemonade, drinks and bottled water. Proceeds from the sale of food, including the barbecue, will go to the community center, a nonprofit community organization. Ten percent of all proceeds is designated to a college scholarship that is awarded to a Green Creek resident each year. Applications will be available at the festival or you can contact a board member.
Many of the same activities will be available this year, including gospel, country and bluegrass music, storytellers, health fair, the 4-H livestock show and many others.
Organizers said everyone is invited and encouraged to come for the entire day. They said there will be something for all ages to enjoy.
For more information or to volunteer to help with the festival, contact Krista Haynes, festival chairperson, at 828-817-0194.
No pets, outside solicitation or food vendors are allowed at the festival.
– article submitted by Lorrie Rickman