It was a cold, windy October day, but nearly 1,000 warm-hearted folks came to visit the 18th Annual Union County Heritage Festival last month. The festival was packed with experienced musicians who performed live music throughout the event. On the Gazebo Stage sponsored by Jaxx, Southern Spirit performed Back to Tennessee, Old Stuff, and sneaked in a preview of a tune from their new album that debuts in January.
Stoney Point Bluegrass Band gave an awesome performance that got the crowd tapping their toes and clapping their hands. Sleepy Eyed John’s Band played some old time favorites like Salty Dawg and featured a couple of expert cloggers. Norris Freeway Band showcased Claude McCoy in a heart-tugging rendition of Some Call It Heaven, I Call it Home after Wayne Goforth made everyone’s heart race when he fiddled and they played a medley of Lonesome Fiddle Blues, Back Up and Push, and Sled Riding.
All of the music was memorable, but Luttrell Elementary Fiddle Club stole the show! As Andrew Jones played the keyboard in a Jerry Lee Lewis style, his perfect pitch voice combined with the guitar pickin' of Landon Jessee, a dozen or so elementary fiddlers, and the voice of their teacher, Jennifer Fields, to perform Old Dan Tucker, There's a Hole in My Bucket Dear Liza, and a variety of familiar tunes.
The crowd roared its applause as they witnessed the next generation of Union County homegrown musicians materialize like magic.
Closing out the Gazebo Stage shows was the Heritage Fiddle Contest. Ethan Ellwood from Knox County took first place. Jada Myers played Gypsy song to take home second place. Zach Summers with the look and sound of The King of Rock himself sang several songs made famous by Elvis Presley while the judges picked the winners.
On the Gospel Stage, KristeNicole and Journey Road Band joined country and gospel to perform the rich tones of various songs including their current hit, Godly Woman. Chris Muncey and Steel Blue Band added some pop country to their music as did Dustin Ford. Joseph Hensley with his more traditional gospel touch will soon open his own workshop to hand craft fiddles with the help of a Tennessee Arts grant.
A tribute and marker is now located at the Gazebo Stage in Wilson Park to honor Carl Smith, another country music legend who is also a Union County native. Carl was the sound of country during the 1950s and continued to chart singles nearly every year well into the 1970s. Many of his songs included stories of love which inspired this year’s festival theme, “Follow Your Heart.”
Betty Bullen created the 2022 Festival Collectible Print by the same title which features a barn nestled near a grove that was very much like the farm near where Carl grew up. The 2023 festival will be a tribute to Bit Rouse.
The festival boasted numerous contests with a multitude of winners. The Rocky Top Award for the vendor who has the best portrayal of the festival theme was won by A & B Bookkeeping & Tax Service. Best Demonstrator was Martin Shafer with Shafer’s Antique Hit ’n Miss Engine and Lathe. Chair caning by Lester Wilson Crafting captured the Best Heritage Award. The judges awarded Items of Distinction to the following: Ooglies (puppets) by KC Creations; Felties, Magnets, and Bookmarks by Caleb Brook of Comb Ridge Handcrafters; Cowboy Boots by Ralph Webster of Webster’s Custom Woodcraft; Woodcrafts by Lynn Merritt of Seesaw Wood Products; a variety of unique candles by Don and Pat Morgan of Thunder Road Candles.
The Heritage Olympics had 55 participants in four competitions. In the Egg & Spoon Race (7 and under) was 1st Kone Britt, 2nd Madison Flatford; (8 and up) 1st Carter Roderick, 2nd Caroline Carr, and 3rd Faith Tindell. Winning the Feed Bag Toss was 1st Justin Hensley and 2nd Johnny Sexton. In Nail Driving, Ben Woods took 1st Place and 2nd was Cory Jones. Ladies who placed in the Skillet Toss (44 yrs and under) included 1st Christen Lamb, 2nd Samantha Shreves; (45 yrs and up) 1st Connie Lamb, 2nd Wilma Woods. All winners received a Lodge iron skillet. UT Extension Union County Agent Shannon DeWitt hosted the Olympics and A & B Bookkeeping & Tax Service sponsored the prizes.
UT Extension Union County also organized the Pie Baking Contest sponsored by Union County Farm Bureau. Alyshia Victoria coordinated nearly 25 entries and 12 judges. The pies were sold to raise money for 4H projects. The Grand Champion was Gracie Tindell with a Cherry Pie. In the Fruit category, 1st Place was Glenda Cooke with an Apple Pie, 2nd Place was Kathy Venturella with a Cherry Pie, and Sharon Hansard with a Japanese Fruit Pie placed 3rd. The Nut category had Kenneth Hayes with a Buttermilk Pecan Pie in 1st Place, 2nd Place Sharon Hansard with a Caramel Pecan Pie, and 3rd Place Pamela Hayes with a Texas Pie. A variety of pies were in the Other category with 1st Place awarded to Kathy Venturella with a Tollhouse Pie, 2nd Place to Elizabeth Tindell with a Buttermilk Pie, and 3rd Place to Sherry Jones with a Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie.
Another Union County Extension project was biscuit making. Olivia Howard oversaw a group of 4H bakers. Throngs of visitors lined up to sample a warm flaky biscuit and homemade butter. The youngsters made good use of the renovated Wilson Park Concession Stand and served biscuits in front of a seasonal display of homemade agricultural products and canned goods. They plan to expand for next year's festival.
The Union County Museum hosted a Heritage Day Pancake Breakfast, a Heritage Book Sale of duplicate books, and an Antique Jewelry and Glass Market. These activities totaled nearly $1500 to be used for improvements at the museum. The Union County Historical Society also welcomed Bonnie Peters, Union County Historian and noted author, to share her books and stories with visitors. The results of the Heritage Quilt Show are listed in an adjacent article. Glenda Cooke, Judson Palmer, Charlie Hamilton, Wanda Cox Byerley and the Union County Historical Society organized the activities.
In addition to painting the Union County Heritage Festival Collectible Print, Betty Bullen directed the Heritage Festival Art Show. Union County Attorney David Myers graciously offered to have the show at the Myers Building since the Historical Snodderly House was occupied by Union County Extension. The Art Show awards are also in another article.
Be sure to note our sponsors ad and let them know how much their support is appreciated. Again, thank you to the many vendors, sponsors, visitors and the festival committee for spending all year planning so we can all enjoy six hours of fun, music, food and crafts.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 7, 2023, when the Heritage Festival goes to visit Grandma.