Local residents help churn apples into cider in front of Sparta United Methodist Church during last Saturday's Mountain Heritage Festival. Shown are (standing, from left) Charlie Scott, Tom Atwood, Rick Squires, David Isner and (foreground) Perry Isner.

More than 4,000 attend festival

On the first Saturday of autumn, downtown Sparta was filled with the enticing smells of various kinds of foods, the sounds of lively music of diverse origins, dancing, wares available from numerous artisans — and most importantly, people, from near and far, of all ages and backgrounds. More than 4,000 people turned out for the 10th annual Mountain Heritage Festival last Saturday, according to April Caudill, administrative assistant for the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the event.

"I think it was a successful day for everyone: merchants, vendors and the families who attended the festival," said Caudill. "Kids' activities were lined up all day, and the kids were having a ball."

Nature itself even seemed to be in an accommodating mood, with the weather breaking just in time. Sparta, bogged down with storms and sogginess until late afternoon the previous day, enjoyed ideal conditions for festival day. "We were really glad that it turned out to be a warm, sunny day and that (tropical storm) Isadore moved out," she said. "We watched the weather reports all day Friday."

Commerce was brisk Saturday, Caudill said. "Food vendors were running out of food. (Chamber) board members were running to the grocery store to buy more food....I talked to the vendors, and 99 percent of them were very pleased."

John Brady of Sparta was one such vendor. Brady is a member of the Sparta Town Council and is also a woodworker who sold his products during the festival.

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