Children will also compete for prizes in other events from 10 a.m. until noon.

Kids and older viewers and participants will also enjoy the festival parade, a festival favorite that will begin at 9:30 a.m. The parade has increased in participants each year; area civic clubs, church and school organizations, and scout troops are invited and encouraged to participate.

Dr. Don McIntyre, who came up with the idea for the festival, will serve as grand marshal this year. To wind up the parade at about 11 a.m., local fire departments will compete in the &dquo;Firemen&squo;s Barrel Roll Competition&dquo; for the fifth year. This is a serious yet fun event to witness.

There will also be a petting zoo, wagon rides and demonstrations, which include quilting, basket weaving, bee keeping, soap making, stone polishing, spinning and blacksmithing.

Festival goers will also get the chance to win some money in a 50/50 raffle. Half the money will go to the Green Creek Community Center and the other half will go to the winner.

Showing off the wheels

Powered by Faith Car Club will be in charge of the Antique Car and Truck Show. The car show is open to all cars, trucks, and motorcycles up to present day models. Registration is from 7 a.m. until&bsp; noon and requires a registration fee. Judging ends at 2 p.m. and trophies will be awarded at 2:45 p.m.

New trophies added this year are for best European, best Volkswagen, unique freestyle and best motorcycle. You can pre-register for this event by contacting David Waldrop at 828-863-4071 or Lori Nichols at 828-863-4585. Last year more than 100 cars were on display and more are expected this year. If you preregister, you can drive/ride your vehicle in the parade if you like.

Another old favorite at the festival will be the antique tractor and farm equipment show.

Crafts and general store

As in the past a large variety of crafts will be on display, and some crafters will demonstrate how their crafts are made throughout the day. All crafts for sale must be handcrafted. Susi Kimbrell, crafters chairperson, can be reached at 828-863-4896, for information concerning crafts available this year and how to be a participant in the craft fair.

The Joe Rinehart Country Store, representing a general mercantile, will be located in the gym and offers a good selection of needed items. Homemade jams, jellies and other canned goods will be available along with fresh produce. Baked goods are also sold in the store. Each crafter is asked to donate one item to the country store which ensures a wide variety of inventory; these items are in addition to donations from the community. In the past, antique items have also been stocked.

Heritage healthy

Representatives from St. Luke&squo;s Hospital will be on site again this year to conduct a &dquo;Health Fair.&dquo; Hospice of the Carolina Foothills will be offering information on their organization, the American Red Cross volunteers will be in their office located at the front of the gym to do blood pressure screening; they will also participate in the festival parade. The International Lion&squo;s Club will conduct eye screening.

Barring emergencies, &dquo;Big Mama&dquo; from Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville, and &dquo;Regional One&dquo; from Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System in Spartanburg will make an appearance. Organizers say the emergency transport helicopters were a big attraction last year. The helicopters will be on exhibit and the crews will answer questions concerning the helicopters and emergency procedures.

Entertaining the crowds

Paula Brown has again lined up some musicians in the area. James Metcalf, of WJFJ Radio, will emcee for the 10th year. Metcalf is also a member of The Green River Boys band, which will perform in the afternoon.

Phil and Gaye Johnson will start off the musical entertainment at 10 a.m. The Johnsons have been residents of Green Creek for more than 20 years. This award-winning duo offers a unique blend of traditional and contemporary folk, bluegrass and country music along with generous portions of western swing, cowboy, blues and old-time traditions.

Following them at 11 a.m. and at noon will be The Basement Bunch and Southwind, newcomers to the festival.

At 1 p.m. Jennifer Prince will take the stage for the third year. Prince enjoys great interaction with her audience, organizers say.

At 2 p.m., The Over the Hill Gang with Barry Jackson will perform. At 3 p.m., The Green River Boys will start off the final hour of music with bluegrass gospel. A special finale will begin at 3:45 p.m., when each group is invited to come back to the stage for a Tenth Anniversary Jam Session. Chairs will be available under the big tent for your convenience.

Door prizes will be given throughout the day from the main stage.

Storytime

Storytellers Jim Hinsdale and Lance Smith will be back this year. Some storytellers tell stories from their own imagination and/or experiences; other stories have been garnered and sometimes adapted from books and other storytellers. Both of these men have a long history of storytelling. Hinsdale will be at the storyteller&squo;s tent from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. until 3 p.m. Smith will be there from 11 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Good eatin&squo;

Food is a popular reason for attending the heritage festival, officials said, and they say they think the crowds this year will be pleased with the offerings.

Harry Denton will cook barbecue for the sixth year. Denton is a first place winner of the Annual Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival held at Harmon Field, as well as winner of numerous other culinary awards. Barbecue sandwiches will be available at all food stations. Barbecue plates with bread, slaw, baked beans and dessert will be served inside the cafeteria.

David Page will grill chicken quarters again this year; these will also be served in the cafeteria; these plates will include the same side items as the barbecue plates. Page&squo;s chicken was a big hit last year and sold out very quickly.

The main food court will be located inside the walking track at the front of the property; this is where you can get a hotdog with homemade chili, barbecue sandwiches, ice cream, soft drinks, lemonade and ice cold water.

All of this will also be available across the road at the Antique Car and Truck show. Barbecue and chicken will be available at 11 a.m.; hotdogs and all other food sales begin at 9 a.m.

All proceeds from the sale of food go to the community center, a nonprofit community organization, with ten percent designated to a college scholarship which is awarded to a Green Creek resident each year. (Please contact a board member for information on how to apply for this scholarship.)

The Polk County REexpressions will be in charge of recycling again this year. A conscious effort is made to recycle wherever possible by instructing the public to keep recycling materials separate from materials going to the landfill.

Sharing history

The Polk County Historical Society will be on site to share information about Polk County&squo;s past. Members will display pictures, maps and other memorabilia. Along with historical facts, they will be sharing information passed from one generation to the next by stories and family history.

Directions, more info

Directions: Take Hwy. 9 South to Green Creek Volunteer Fire Department (approx. 5 miles south of US Hwy. 74), turn left onto Green Creek Drive. Parking will be on the right at the top of the hill and the festival will be on the left. The car show will be across the road from the Community Center in the Green Creek First Baptist Church parking lot.

Contact festival chairperson, Krista Haynes, at 828-863-4367 for more information. Handicapped parking is available and all areas are handicapped accessible. Admission and parking are free. No pets, outside solicitation or food vendors are allowed at the festival.

‐ article submitted