Auburn, Alabama is known as the loveliest village on the plain...and it's hard to argue that, despite the nasty traffic snarls, unappreciative town merchants, and archaic professors. Columbia, North Carolina, to me, is "the loveliest village in the pocosin"... especially because there is nary a traffic jam, the town merchants, while few, are very appreciative, and there are no aging professors. The glory of my new town is expressed through its fun festivals.
The Scuppernong River Festival is a fun little party...there is a parade, complete with Firetrucks, Four wheelers, and 4-H'ers. That's it. The simplicity of the parade reflects the simplicity of life here. Only beach traffic interrupts our normal way of life. The SRF also has vendors of jewelry, art, and meat on a stick, a personal favorite of Lee Scripture. While some people come from as far away as Edenton to enjoy the festival, it's intent is to serve the people that are served by the Scuppernong. From the Scuppernong, procurers of fish, crabs, and sunburn make a living, year in and year out. The festival hosts canoe and kayak tours of the area and a street dance. It's fun, well-attended, and always scheduled during the "biggest" Auburn game of the year...I have to choose - thanks for TiVo.
Rivertown Christmas is another really cool festival that revolves around the Scuppernong River. A flotilla, complete with holiday-themed lighting on each boat, makes for quite a spectacle on the river. This festival also coincides with the fall flight of waterfowl, which alone, impresses me. Watching the Tundra Swans go to roost as the Flotilla readies is really neat. It is usually cold outside, too.
The Soul Food Festival, which I have only attended once, is great...Why? see "Soul Food".
All good festivals generally clebrate something that is important to the town...Watermelon Festivals, Cherry Festivals, and even barbecue festivals (see "Memphis in May" on Google) are a ritual that occur throughout the year that both entertain and pay homage to our cultural roots. Arab, Alabama hosts the Poke Salat Festival...so there is a celebration for everything, everywhere.
Come to Columbia for some great festivals...Come to the Eastern 4-H Center for Dock of the Bay if you want to see an "up and coming" festival/beach music party.
Enjoy the day...
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