115th Year, 7th Issue Thursday, September 25, 2003 Sparta, North Carolina

Festival and mower race are Saturday

Two popular local events are scheduled this weekend in Sparta — the Mountain Heritage Festival and a fall lawnmower race are planned. Both events will be held on Saturday, with the festival, which is a free (no admission) event, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. The lawnmower race, with $5 admission for adults and children eight and under admitted free, is set to begin at 7 p.m.

As for the Heritage Festival, it offers live music, arts and crafts for sale, an array of food items and a play area for children.

Road Closed

The intersection of U.S. 21 and N.C. 18 will be closed to traffic beginning at 5 a.m. on Saturday morning. Cheek, Grayson, Doughton and Jones streets will be open for traffic to divert around the festival. All roads should be reopened by around 6 p.m. Handicapped parking will be available at the town parking lot between the ABC store and the BP service station.

Festival Features

The featured band performs at 12:30 p.m. The Cana Ramblers are set to perform and the group offers a variety of traditional music. Throughout the rest of the day, musical offerings will include old time, gospel, more bluegrass and clogging.

New Dawn performs at 9:30 a.m.; the Junior Appalachian Musicians are on at 10 a.m.; the Boot Hill Cloggers at set for 10:45 a.m.; the Cloggettes at 11:15 a.m.; Amanda Dermitt at 2 p.m.; and the American Heritage Dancers at 3 p.m.

In addition, a number of artists will have their wares available. The event is promoted as a 'juried arts and crafts festival,' which means that all vendors are required to have all handmade articles. Items to be offered include pottery, jewelry, wood crafts, candles, baskets, dolls, wreaths, ceramics, furniture, musical instruments, knives, soaps, quilts, Christmas decorations and more.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News!

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