Annual Stecoah celebration draws massive crowd
Stecoah – Anywhere you looked, you could find reminders of a bygone era.
The 24th Annual Stecoah Harvest Festival was enjoyed by an estimated 2,500 visitors, who had plenty of options to choose from once they entered the grounds at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.
All told, 56 vendors and nine demonstrators warmly greeted passers-by. In some cases, a thorough explanation of the goods available might have been sought from customer to supplier, but there was no shortage of goodies at the attendees’ disposal.
Musicians performed on the center’s pavilion stage throughout Saturday’s portion of the event, which actually began Friday night with a campfire at sunset. Robbinsville High School junior Helen Ward performed “The Star-Spangled Banner;” while other local performers such as members of the center’s Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) Band; Mandy Millsaps & Family; and Julie Nelms and Sonny Reighard.
Peppered across the festival was cane-mill, corn-grinding, cider-press and sheep-to-yarn demonstrations. A Quilts of Valor ceremony recognized those who have served in the Armed Forces; while the former Stecoah School gym once again was lit with warm colors from a quilt display.
Of the 39 quilts in the exhibit, Susan Roper’s “Tea Party” work took first place; Kim Leister placed second; and Janice Panther finished third.
Stecoah Program Director Amber Benton added that 79 total performers were on-hand to entertain the masses; while 49 volunteers helped make the event a massive success.