Faison schedules Market Day celebration
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on August 6, 2004 1:56 PM
FAISON -- The Faison Improvement Group unveiled plans for a Market Day celebration to honor the town's agricultural heritage.
At one time the produce market in Faison was the largest in the country and, some say, the world, said Ann Taylor.
She told the Faison Town Board members Wednesday night they're invited to ride in the Market Day parade of farm vehicles. They have to come in on a farm vehicle, she said.
The event will be held on Oct. 23 and will begin with the parade, which will start at the former produce market on N.C. 403. It will proceed to the railroad tracks next to U.S. 117. At the tracks will be a temporary market with an auctioneer and a brief opening ceremony to honor the six original families who started the produce market.
Every year, she said, the Faison Improvement Group, or FIG, will name a Farmer of the Year and a Farm Worker of the Year at the Market Day celebration. Judging will be done by the Duplin office of the Cooperative Extension Service.
She said events are being planned for the park, the museum and elsewhere in town. Local people will bring things to sell in a farmer's market at the Community Building.
"There will be no funnel cakes or merry-go-rounds," she said. "We'll have things like horse shoes and rolling tires, things people did in the farm communities."
She said the group is planning a concert, with Sen. Charlie Albertson as one of the performers, and cloggers. Churches and civic clubs will be given an opportunity to sell things like barbecue and chicken stew to raise money for their organizations.
The board unanimously approved Commissioner Jane Hollingsworth's motion to support the event with "our attendance, our talent and hopes for a huge success."