SALISBURY – The 33rd annual Autumn Jubilee continues today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a cornucopia of crafts, food, games and music.
Admission is free to the annual fall festival, as is parking. Bringle Ferry Road is often backed up during the two-day event, so those attending are encouraged to plan for traffic delays.
Michelle Lambe, of Gold Hill, and her sister Carol Barger, of Rockwell, said Saturday they have been attending the festival together for more than 10 years. It began as a tradition for Barger’s birthday, and now the two sisters keep coming back every year.
“There’s so many things to look at, and a lot of different things to do,” Barger said. “It’s not far from the house, either.”
Lambe said she likes going to different craft shows in the area to look for a particular kind of item.
“Every year, it’s something different for me,” she said. “This year, it’s jewelry.”
Tondra Williams, of Concord, was happy to help Lambe shop. Williams said this is her fifth time selling jewelry at Autumn Jubilee, and she enjoys it.
“I like the crowd,” she said. “It’s good to see people loving art like this.”
Old-fashioned games and a log sawing competition will be held again at 2 p.m. today.
Caroline Garner, 8, was the first of her age group to hop across the line in Saturday’s potato sack race.
Her sister, Natalie Garner, 11, bit into a large turkey leg as she watched. She said this is the second year her family has been to Autumn Jubilee.
“I think there are more activities this year,” Natalie said. “It’s really fun.”
She said she enjoyed making sand art, while Caroline named face painting as her favorite part of the festival. The younger sister had a ghost and pumpkin pained on her cheek, and Natalie’s face sported an ice cream cone.
The girls’ father, Salisbury resident Charlie Garner, said he likes looking at the rows of arts and crafts booths.
The vendors sell a variety of unique items, including hand-made clothing, gifts, wood crafts, local honey and baked goods.
“It’s a good excuse to get out on a nice day,” Garner said. “The kids love the activities, especially painting pumpkins.”
Pumpkin and face painting can be found in the children’s area, along with entertainment provided by a magician, Carolina Puppet Theater, the Interactive Theater of Jef, Knightly Order of Fiat Lux and the Sandman.
Hands-on craft demonstrations, including blacksmithing, woodworking and knitting, are given in the Heritage Village area. On a nearby stage, live entertainment will be featured throughout the day.
And as always, several food vendors have set up shop at Autumn Jubilee, selling pork-on-a-stick, barbecued chicken, sweet corn, kettle corn, ice cream, lemonade and more.
Brad Howard, a cook for Brian’s, said this is the restaurant’s fifth year having a booth at the festival. It sells hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, barbecue sandwiches and sweet tea.
“It’s going great,” Howard said. “A lot of people are out today. It’s good for the restaurant, it’s good business and it’s fun to do.”
Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.
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