The Mountain Heritage Festival drew large crowds to downtown Sparta last Saturday to see exhibits, performances and multiple food and craft vendors. In the photo at left, the Hoedowners, a dance group, performs for a crowd of onlookers with the Alleghany County Courthouse in the background. Chamber Director Bob Bamberg said the dancers were one of the best crowd-pleasers. In the photo above, Ken Nicks of Sparta United Methodist Church prepares apples for cider making, a long-time demonstration at the church.

Festival goers enjoy sunny weather

The sun shown brightly as people made their way up and down Main Street on Sept. 25 to see what the 12th annual Heritage Festival held in store for them.

Bob Bamberg, the new executive director of the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce, commented that he was unsure of the number of attendees.

“I think, compared to past (festivals), this was a good one,” Bamberg said. “It wasn’t the most attended, but it certainly wasn’t the least attended.”

The visitors were able to peruse the 46 booths and make their selection from among items ranging from jewelry and candles to puppets, plastic swords and more.

Throughout the day, Bamberg walked the street, and spoke with the vendors to assure their comfort with the festival.

“Some told me they were having a good day, some told me they were having a so-so day,” he said. “No one indicated they were not coming back.”

While enjoying the sound of the featured band, Harvest Wind, or other entertainers, DeLana Hanes, Junior Appalachian Musicians, New Dawn, Hoedowners and the Boothill Cloggers, the audience was also able to enjoy treats including funnel cakes and snow cones, as well as others, that were available at the five concession stands.

“I think people stayed for a fairly long time,” said Bamberg. “One thing that surprised me was the drawing power of the dancers.”

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