Market Day held in Faison
By Anessa Myers
Published in News on October 12, 2008 2:00 AM
FAISON -- Town streets were filled Saturday as local residents snapped up food, crafts and other goodies at this year's Faison Market Day.
The event is held each year to celebrate locally grown produce like sweet potatoes, collard greens, cabbage, cherry tomatoes, squash and cucumbers.
But more than that, it is a time when neighbors can come together and enjoy an autumn day.
Glenn Jernigan, the town's former fire chief and Duplin County sheriff, hasn't missed a Market Day yet.
"I've been to every one," he said.
His favorite part of the festival is the food, especially the barbecue sandwiches.
But he said he also likes seeing a good crowd.
"And I think we've had more booths this year than any other," he added.
Don Taylor, Faison's current fire chief, and his wife, Margaret, just like seeing their neighbors and enjoying their town.
Eating and fellowship seemed to be on the minds of many Saturday.
Sarah Melendez, 10, of Warsaw, said she loved the food -- even though at that point she had only eaten nachos.
"And just seeing everybody here, hanging out with my friends," she said.
Her friends Abby Albright, 14, of Warsaw, and Beth Carter, also 14, of Calypso, preferred marching in the Market Day parade with the North Duplin High School band.
"We both play the clarinet," Miss Carter said.
But Danielle Baker, 14, who lives "just down the road," said she likes the celebration itself, the town and walking around and talking with people in it.
"I've been here every year. I have to be. My grandma runs the whole thing," she said.
Ken Kennedy of Calypso said it was his family's first time at the celebration.
"I like watching the kids dance around," he said.
And he didn't mind eating the dill pickles either.
His 7-year-old daughter, Kailey, said she also likes the dancing.
"And hot dogs," she added.
But Kennedy's wife, Debbi, said the best part wasn't the food for her.
"This is invigorating to me," she said. "This is a small town, but it's so alive."
It was Sophia Pittman's first Market Day, too. She and her 3-year-old son, Hunter, drove from Goldsboro for the celebration.
"I think it's pretty cool," she said. "I liked how they had games and lots of stuff for the kids to do."
Hunter, who got his hair sprayed green at the celebration, was excited over the small pumpkin he bought.
And when mom asked him where his pumpkin would go, he said that it would be on the front porch "to scare people."
"Are we going to carve a face in it and stick a candle in it like we did last year?" she asked him.
"Yep, carve a mean face," Hunter said.
The estimated 500 people that attended the celebration weren't without hats or long-sleeved shirts because of the light fall breeze.
But most everyone had a smile on their face, and food in their hands.