SummerFest links past and present
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 15, 2007 2:01 AM
The past met the present on Saturday, during the seventh annual SummerFest at Waynesborough Historical Village.
It was a study in contrasts -- re-enactors dressed in Civil War uniforms standing next to parked motorcycles, women in long flowing gowns carrying a tray of hot dogs.
Over at the General Store, tote bags best conveyed the Waynesborough message -- "Where It's Always 1835."
The all-day event was also an opportunity for such fun fare as sack races, watermelon eating and seed spitting contests. A 109-year-old quilt was among items featured at a quilt show.
Blacksmith Charles "Andy"Anderson demonstrated his trade, despite the heat.
He patiently molded steel into an "S" hook and had earlier fashioned fireplace pokers for his audiences. The crowd attending the event, he said, "was about as good as I have seen."
Vivian Bridges of Wilson attended for the first time to squire patrons around on a train. Representing N.C. Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit group, she said the event provided an opportunity to teach highway-railway collision prevention.
"We have a growing number of incidents between people and trains," she said, also noting a rise in cases of four-wheelers. "We built the train to attract the children to bring their parents. We're happy and pleased at the turnout."
Three-year-old Achaia Edwards of Dudley "loved the train," said her mother, Maggie Edwards, who was accompanied by husband, Richard, and children Quanesha Winn, 9, and Kamesha Winn, 7.
As Kamesha readied for the sack race, Quanesha was gearing up for the watermelon eating contest.
"I feel like I'm going to win. I'm saving my stomach," she said.
Richard said the family was enjoying the day's events.
"I like the historical sites here," he said, admitting that it was their first time visiting, but adding that would not be their last.
In the Odd Fellows Museum, Sue Patton of Goldsboro explained some of the history to granddaughter Carly Bridges, 7, visiting from Virginia.
"We have already seen the old houses and went into the grocery store and bought a popgun and a soda," Mrs. Patton said. "We decided to have an afternoon of getting out and seeing what happens here in Goldsboro."
"Every year we try to do it a little better, a little bit bigger," Waynesorough ...... Colleen Baker said. "This is my favorite event of the year."