The Alleghany County Heritage Festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 22, in downtown Sparta. The event will officially begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
The annual festival features music, food and vendors of all varieties. Chamber Director Leanne Murray said that nearly 80 vendors have committed to appear at the event, including about a dozen food vendors. "We're looking forward to a big vendor and community turnout," Murray said.
A portion of Main Street will be blocked to traffic for the event, north of Cheek Street and south of Doughton Street. In addition, traffic for N.C. 18 will be re-routed around that central section of town. Detour routes include Grayson Street to Doughton Street and Grayson Street to Cheek Street. All other roads in Sparta will remain open. The streets will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. Saturday morning and will reopen by 6 p.m.
Parking has been set aside in several locations, including the BB&T parking lot on Main Street; the town parking lots beside the ABC store and just off main on South Whitehead Street (N.C. 18); the Sparta First Baptist Church parking lot; Blue Ridge Electric parking lot; First Community Bank's parking lot; and the parking area behind Sparta Restaurant.
Murray is organizing the festival for the first time this year. While it is a lot to take on, Murray said that she has the task under control. "We have already mapped out our vendor locations along Main Street and we will be marking the streets Thursday evening prior to the event," Murray said. "We have coordinated the street closings with the Sparta Police Department and everyone has been great about working with us."
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