The sixteenth Annual Green Creek Heritage Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Green Creek Community Center.
This festival is a fundraiser for the annual operating expenses for the Green Creek Community Center, a non-profit organization that is also supported by donations and grants. Ten percent of all proceeds from the festival are designated to a college scholarship which awards $1000 to a Green Creek resident each year. Applications will be available at the festival or you can contact a board member.
In the spring of 1999, 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 our 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. It was a wonderful start to what has grown to be a very successful festival.
Today, the Board of Directors oversees the plans for the festival along with coordinator Krista Haynes. 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.
An Archery Competition will be held again this year and there will be classes for both children and adults. Preregister by contacting Steve Burney at greencreekarchery@gmail.com.
The Festival Parade has increased in participants each year; we would like to include as many area organizations as possible. If your civic club, church, school organization or scout troop would like to participate in the parade register with Francine Costner at 828-863-4065.
The finale to the parade is the “Firemen’s Barrel Roll Competition” now in its ninth year. Local fire departments that would like to participate should contact Michael Herman at 828-817-4049.
There will also be an Antique Car, Truck and Tractor Show. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and requires a registration fee. You can pre-register for this event by contacting David Waldrop at 828-863-4071. Last year over 70 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 Ms. 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 that would enjoy demonstrating your craft then 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 and split chicken breast. Barbecue plates and sandwiches will be offered, along with hotdogs, ice cream, lemonade, drinks and bottled water.
Many of the same activities will be available this year including great gospel, country and bluegrass music, storytellers, health fair and many others that you have come to enjoy. Watch the paper for more information in the coming weeks.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to come for the entire day. 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