Robbinsville – Stop a local on the street and ask how many vendors used to adorn the courthouse square for the Graham County Heritage Festival.
In response, their adulation and memories will simply flow.
Much like every other small-town extravaganza, the festival is still rebounding from the devastating hit of COVID-19, which thwarted the 2020 event and trimmed the number of vendors from the neighborhood of 50 to around 21 when it returned last year.
The 2022 installment was a good sign, though, as the number of vendors crept up to 29 and an estimated 3,000 people made their rounds to scout out handmade crafts, clothing and, of course, festive food.
“It’s a place where people can congregate and meet. A lot of families are in (visiting for the Fourth of July), so we get a lot of visitors,” said Brian “Taco” Johnson, chair of Graham County Festivals and the person in charge of the yearly gathering since 2016.
“The Heritage Festival goes back a long time. We do what we can and this year, we’ve had great attendance. I can’t ask for anything better. Despite some of the weather, we have it, rain or shine.”
Political candidates were also seen mingling with constituents, while children were also able to participate in a plethora of activities to ensure a fun-filled event. In addition to the crowd favorite “Miss Liberty” competition, the menu included an egg and spoon race, as well as Hula hoop, limbo and watermelon-eating contests.
A heavy thunderstorm squandered the final two hours of the event, which had The Steve Jordan Band booked to entertain the masses until 11 p.m. Most of the crowd dispersed when the storm rolled in, but a select few toughed it out and were able to watch Robbinsville’s annual fireworks display, which set off around 10:15 p.m. Saturday.
Vendors can set up at the festival for $20 (nonprofits are free), while food vendors can sign up for $30. Always held the weekend of Independence Day, the next festival is penciled in as another two-day event: June 30 and July 1, 2023.