FAIRMONT — Fairmont’s annual Heritage Days festival returns Friday and Saturday with music, dancing — and Coca-Cola and peanuts for 50 cents.
Friday night’s events will take place at the Heritage Center on South Main Street, beginning with a welcome from Commissioner Charles Kemp, co-curator of the Border Belt Farmers Museum, and a meal.
“We encourage and urge you to be a part of this revival of our rich history,” Kemp said of the festival. “Come on out, dress up in your finest ‘rural or country’ attire, have some good old country food, view the handmade crafts, listen to some down home music, kick up your heels with the cloggers and line dancers, and visit with your friends.”
Local storyteller Kat Littleturtle will kick off Friday’s events at 7 p.m., followed by a performance by gospel group By Faith Alone at 7:30. The N.C. Strawberry Festival Cloggers will hit the floor at 7:50 p.m., followed by the Lumber River Blue Grass Band at 8:15 p.m.
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, attendees can take tours of the Border Belt Farmers Museum, check out farm equipment and cars on display, and purchase the classic combination of Coke and peanuts for 50 cents. Pony rides, childrens games and a petting zoo will also be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as food and crafts vendors. Pit-cooked barbecue can be purchased by the pound or by the sandwich starting at noon.
Folks can enjoy country, beach and 60s music from Lightning in a Bottle from noon to 1 p.m. At 1 p.m., the winner of a pecan pie-baking contest will be crowned, and the crowd will be introduced to Fairmont’s Farmers Festival queens.
Senior line dancers the Carolina Girls will show off their skills at 1 p.m., followed by the Triple Toe Cloggers of Laurinburg at 1:30 p.m. The Lumber River Blue Grass Band will return to the stage at 2 p.m., and the Triple Toe Cloggers and Lightning in a Bottle will play encore performances at 2:30 and 3 p.m..
The event will come to a close at 4 p.m. with a raffle for two Amish quilts made by Fairmont resident Teresa Heasley. Anyone who tours the museum can also be entered into an end-of-the-day drawing for a $50 cash prize.
All Saturday events will be held at the museum, located at 101 Thompson St.
Tickets to Friday’s events can be purchased in advance for $15 per person or two for $25 at Angie’s, Fairmont Department Store, Webster’s Pharmacy, Floyds Auto Parts, Lumber River Country Market, Clothing & Such, Sister’s Boutique in Lumberton, and the Border Belt Museum, or from Heritage Days committee members.
In the event of rain, Saturday’s festivities will be rescheduled for April 30.
