As the 2021 theme says, tourists from area counties as well as several states plan to “Take a Country Road” for the Union County Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 2.
Just follow Thunder Road (Hwy 33) and Wilson Lane to all of the festivities in Wilson Park. Visitors can board the free shuttle (the big yellow bus) sponsored by Monroe Bus Lines, State Farm Insurance, and City of Plainview to view the Quilt Show, talk to the authors, and eat some country cookin' at the Union County Museum.
From there the shuttle goes to the Historic Snodderly House for the Art and Photography Exhibit.
But the main event happens in Wilson Park with the 10 a.m. opening welcome by Mayor Bailey, the pledge by the Veterans and Tri County Honor Guard, the National Anthem sung by Keaton Roach, and Greenwood's “God Bless the USA”.
On the grounds will be more than 75 vendors. Arts and craft vendors include woodworking from signs to toys, wreath making with grapevine, burlap, and tulle, beaded jewelry, soy candles and handmade items of every kind.
Heritage crafts demonstrate chair caning, embroidery, crochet, soap making, leather crafting, wood turning, blacksmithing and basket weaving. Purchase “Cutting Time”, the collectible print by Betty Bullen, at Booth #65. Get some barbeque at Hawg Heaven BBQ ( #41), tacos at Tacolandia (#43), beans and cornbread (# 51), hotdogs (#23), and funnel cake, fried oreos, and lemonade (#56). Snacks, shaved ice and drinks are at #52 and #24.
Follow the little country road (the walking trail) to above the gazebo to view tractors from the 1900s to the 1950s. Beginning at 2 p.m., the tractors will parade through the festival and continue on Main Street and return to Veteran's Place. A dozen or so of the Smoky Mountain Model As will greet visitors on the back road near the entrance to Wilson Park.
Music abounds at the Gospel/Country Tent with Joseph Hensley (10:30), Dustin Ford (11:30), Southern Spirit (1:45), and Gospel Strings (2:30 and 3:15). Headlining the Gazebo Main Stage will be Flashback Band with Union County's Stuart Wyrick on the banjo (11:00 and 12:45).
Southern Spirit with Chris Hooper, who is from Sharps Chapel roots, will lead the lineup at 10:15. Stoney Point Bluegrass Band performs next Flashback at noon. Norris Freeway with Wayne Goforth on the fiddle continues at 1:30.
Then Sleepy Eyed John's Band with John Alvis and his talented musicians and cloggers will entertain during and after the Fiddle Contest at 2:15. Contestants for the 3rd Annual Heritage Fiddle Contest can register near the Gazebo from noon to 2 and then compete for cash prizes.
The Luttrell Volunteer Fire department will host the Kidz Train and Bounce House.
Nearby, Moss's Duck Pond and Basketball Toss offer super prizes for a small fee. Children can compete in the Heritage Olympics at 10:30 in the Egg & Spoon Race and the Nail Driving for all ages at 2:15. Then they can watch their dads or other adult males do the Feed Bag Toss at 1:15 or their moms and other women as they participate in the Skillet Throw at 3. A & B Bookkeeping sponsors the prizes.
On the way to or from the main grounds, purchase some fresh produce from the Farmers Market, which will continue to offer fresh produce every Saturday through October. Also take a look at the UT Extension Union County Exhibits and Educational Demonstrations at #36.
The Union County Heritage Festival thanks everyone for their support and hopes all will 'Take a Country Road' to return to next year's Festival on October 1, 2022.
And come back October 16, 2021, for Mayberry Comes to Maynardville at the Union County Opry!