Published: 07:00 AM, Fri Oct 02, 2009
Festival season is in full swing this weekend
Brian Dukes
Staff writer
With so many upcoming festivals spread throughout the region, someone should really collectively call this time of year fall festival-palooza.
And just to make sure you've got all you need to know to navigate this feast of festivals, we've put together this fall festival guide.
Enjoy.
ROBESON COUNTY FAIR
When: Through Oct. 10. Fair hours vary.
Where: Robeson County Fairgrounds, N.C. 41 South (3788 Martin Luther King Drive), about a mile south of Lumberton
Admission: $5 at the gate; children under 2 are free. Unlimited carnival rides are $18.
What's going on?: There's so much, you'll need to visit and revisit the fair. There are agricultural exhibits and contests as well as a pageant, an amusement park, a diaper derby, a demolition derby, a step show, a magician, a ventriloquist, a hypnotist, a comedian,and musical performances by Due West, Sean Sharp and Jim Quick & Coastline Band.
Information: Call (910) 738-2126 or go to www.robesoncountyfair.com.
ARTASTIC!
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Festival Park, corner of Ray and Rowan avenues, Fayetteville
Admission: Free
What's going on?: Artastic! is a free children's arts festival, so you can expect plenty of hands-on, interactive art activities for children (and parents, too). This year's art projects will focus on the African Safari. There also will be food vendors, community organization booths, a Toddler Tent (so the toddlers can stretch their legs), face painting, an art wall (for all to contribute to), music and more.
Information: Call 485-5121 or go to www.fayettevillemuseumart.org.
SCOTLAND COUNTY HIGHLAND GAMES
When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: John Blue Home and Historical Complex, 13040 X Way Road, Laurinburg
Admission: $5 for adults; $1 for children ages 1 to 12
What's going on?: You haven't lived until you've seen a caber tossed. The Scotland County Highland Games celebrating its Scottish heritage, and all things Scottish. The event offers several athletic competitions, including tossing the caber, the hammer throw, the stone throw and more. There also is plenty of Scottish entertainment, including Gael Warning, a sheep dog demonstration, children's games (even child-friendly versions of Scottish athletic events), demonstrations of Scottish Highland dancing, bag pipe and drumming competitions and performances, Scottish food and arts and crafts.
Information: Go to www.schgnc.org.
AUTUMNFEST
When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Southern Pines, Downtown Park on SE Broad Street
Admission: Free; rides are an additional cost
What's going on?: Autumnfest obviously celebrates the turning of the season, but it also celebrates living and having fun in a small town. For a small town, however, Southern Pines will put on a heck of a festival, featuring arts and crafts, food, rides, a 1-mile fun run/walk, a 5k road race and a lot more, including a children's interactive playground. The races start at 9:30 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30. Live entertainment will be provided by the South Ridge Bluegrass Band and Happy Dan the Magic Man, among others.
Information: Call (910) 692-2463 or go to www.artscouncil-moore.org/autumnfest
DENIM DAYS
When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; car show begins at 8 a.m.
Where: Lawn of the Erwin Business Complex, 200 North 13th St., Erwin
Admission: Free. Fishing rodeo has $3 entry, and petting zoo entry is $1
What's going on?: While it's been a little while since Erwin was known as the "denim capital of the world," its residents are still celebrating their blue heritage with plenty of family friendly events. Denim Days offers a lot of entertainment, including a petting zoo, carnival rides, mule and pony wagon rides, arts and crafts, dance teams, a washboard player, a car show, historic tours, a fishing rodeo a horseshoe tournament, a parade and live music.
Information: Call (910) 897-7300.
More festivals
But wait, there's more! Read about the Cameron Antiques Fair and the Spring Lake Sankofa Festival in Rodger Mullen's On the Town column.