Kudzu Festival features lots of new activities

Holly Springs and Marshall County are set for lots of home-style and family-style fun next week with the coming of the 21st Annual Kudzu Festival downtown.

The festival this year has something for all ages and interests and is a family-oriented event. Beer will be limited to an enclosed tent set aside for those 21 and older. Musical entertainment and a sponsor-appreciation dinner will be under the tent at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The main entertainment is Friday, according to Amy Heaton, executive director of the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce. Using only local talent, the musicians, singers, performers, readers, are invited to register at 5 p.m. at center stage at the courthouse lawn Friday to get in the lineup. The talent show starts at 6 p.m.

“We know there are a lot of talented people in Holly Springs, and this is their chance to shine,” Heaton said.

Major events are scheduled early in the day so that those who want to attend the Kudzu Festival and the Knotty Bolden Rodeo can make both. The rodeo starts at 8 p.m. on Highway 7 North. Look for the rodeo sign.

Both the Kudzu Festival and the Knotty Bolden Memorial Rodeo are important traditions for Holly Springs, Heaton said.

A carnival will be held each day beginning Wednesday and ends at midnight each day. The carnival will be set up behind the chamber of commerce building in the street and parking lot areas.

A Chamber Kids Field Day is set from noon until 4 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Spring Hollow Park. Kids will enjoy playing the dunkin’ booth where they can take shots to dump their school principal off the seat inside the water cage. Some female principals have agreed to participate, Heaton said.

Kids can also enjoy playing on the jumping bean inflatables of Potts Camp. The city fire and police department will have fire trucks and police cruisers on hand for kids to climb on. They will be able to talk to a real fire fighter or police officer.

There will also be kids-oriented concessions available and an airbrush tattoo artist.

Organized games like water tug of war and water relay will be available and kids will receive cool prizes designed to build self-confidence.

“We want kids to feel good about themselves and Holly Springs and just have fun,” she said. “One of the things I think is special about Kids Day is this will be an opportunity for kids from the different schools in the area to mix and do something and not be in competition with each other. We are encouraging lots of parents and guardians to come out with the children.”

Thursday at 5:30 p.m. before the sponsor-appreciation dinner, businesses are encouraged to join in the Chamber Challenge Obstacle Course. Contestants can use anything with wheels but without a motor for their race and are encouraged to decorate their vehicle to promote their business. Contestants who ‘drive’ the vehicles must be 21 years old or over. Entry fee is $25. Meet up at the square at 5:30 p.m. and whoever finished the race first is the winner. A traveling trophy will be awarded and the winner has to defend his trophy next year.

Saturday, the big day, promises a variety of events to be involved in which include:

a Home-grown Barbecue Contest on the square with judging. Categories are ribs, chicken, pork and anything butt and includes a $25 entry fee. Please call the chamber (252-2943) to register.
a Baking Contest runs Saturday along with the BBQ and includes the categories: cole slaw, baked beans, potato salad, pie, cake, and sweet tea. Cole slaw and potato salad must be kept on ice. All baked goods are to be turned in at the entertainment tent for judging by Saturday at 3 p.m.

There will be first place trophy for the meats contest and ribbons only for the baking categories.

a Fashion Show will be held at noon on the square and models will be given an opportunity to model apparel by local shops, including Peebles.
a VIP Dunkin’ Booth will run from Saturday at 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
an Arts & Crafts will be displayed all day Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.
a Blood Drive is set from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Those who donate a unit will get a free carnival wristband which means ride as much as you can stand as long as you can stand it, for free.
a Pet Show is set for 10 a.m. and includes three categories - Best Trick, Most Unique Pet, Best Overall. The show is put on by the Marshall County Humane Society. The winners of the categories go to the pets who are provided the most tickets (votes) by the public.

Anyone who has questions regarding the Kudzu Festival activities is asked to call the chamber office at 252-2943


Thursday, July 9, 2009
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