Spring festival blooms
By Laura Collins
Published in News on March 28, 2010 1:50 AM
Fremont residents and friends from neighboring towns filled the streets of Fremont on Saturday for the 24th annual Daffodil Festival.
The festival's featured entertainment, The Embers, got the crowd on their feet and even invited this year's Miss Daffodil Katie Knotts and Little Miss Daffodil Katie Brown on stage for a song. The two girls in matching pink shirts and crowns snapped their fingers and swayed to the beat during the song.
"The Daffodil Festival is great," Miss Knotts said after the song. "This is one of the highlights of my year every year."
Miss Knotts, 16, was picked to be this year's Miss Daffodil on March 7 after completing an essay, being interviewed by the judges and giving a speech during the competition on how much Fremont means to her.
"I was really shocked. I really did not think I was going to win," she said. "But it's been exciting. I've grown up here and Fremont just means a lot to me and I really just wanted to be someone who is a symbol of Fremont."
In addition to the entertainment, which included Fremont STARS and Fremont Preschool students in the morning, the scent of barbecue, ribs and cheesesteak brought people to the festival. For Town Administrator Kerry McDuffie, the food, "of course," was one of the best parts of the day.
"This is the best turnout we've had in the last couple of years. We're really pleased," he said. "It's almost like a big family reunion. There's people that you haven't seen in a long time that come back in town for it."
Homemade crafts were also in abundance at the festival, with everything ranging from jewelry to purses to clothes. One of the most unique tables at the event was manned by the Fremont Free Will Baptist Church youth.
They were selling necklaces made with paper beads made from church bulletins, Christmas ornaments and gift boxes made from old Christmas cards, rock candles and picture frames, poinsettia ornaments made from parts of a cotton plant and stick art.
The crafts benefit the youth fund at the church, which goes toward charities and trips they take.
"It's nice seeing people coming and buying things because it helps us raise money for fundraisers to help people," said Alexis Harvey, 11.
Her sister, Kiera, 16, said the best part about being at the festival is the people.
"Coming here is a tradition for me. This is something we come to every year," she said. "It's great just being able to meet new people."
The afternoon ended with entertainment from Beth Ivey, who played contemporary Christian music and Triple Wide, a rock, funk and blues band.