The 42nd annual Spring Water Festival was hot, but the weather didn’t deter those who came out to peruse through the festival craft market, check out business and informational displays, play children’s games, ride amusement rides and listen to music.
Most of the activities began Friday evening.
Joy Zapada, who headed up the craft vendors, said “It went well for the crafters. Friday night there was not as much traffic, but sales were good. Saturday we had a good bit of traffic up until about 2 p.m. then it died down I believe due to the heat.”
The craft market had a record breaking 90 vendors this year. The festival usually has 35 to 50 craft vendors. Allowing local boutiques and vendors with jewelry boosted that number.
“Other than the heat, I had a lot of positive feedback,” Zapada said.
Food vendors also reported Friday night went very well, according to food vendor coordinator Jennifer Craft. There were 19 food vendors offering a variety of items for festival visitors to enjoy. Saturday saw a steady stream of festival visitors looking for delicious food and desserts, especially shaved ice.
The Carolina Coast Band performed Friday evening to around 300 people at the Amphitheater stage.
Saturday morning began with the 5K Spring Water Run. Kelly Moon and Taylor Fowler organized this year’s run which had 99 registered runners. Moon said it went well.
The Palmetto High School AFJROTC Color Guard presented colors at the opening ceremony. Alive Wesleyan Church Pastor Mark Tolan had the Festival Day prayer. Catlin Tierce sang the National Anthem, Festival Chairman David Meade welcomed visitors and introduced Spring Water Committee staff, Williamston Town Council members Tony Hagood, Lee Cole, Tabatha Austin, Chris Alexander and Mayor Rockey Burgess.
The Spring Water Auto Show had 183 entries, according to Williamston Fire Chief David Huff including about 35 Jeeps.
The fire department had 377 people ride the historic 1936 antique fire engine
More than 50 business and non-profit organizations had displays along the center sidewalk of the park, according to display organizers Dianne Lollis and Shirley Pace. Local non-profit groups including Envision Williamston, the Palmetto Business Association, Piedmont Lions Club and others were joined by local and out of town businesses to give away items and provide information. A number of local churches greeted visitors and handed out free water.
Parents and children enjoyed free activities provided by Guthrie Grove Church and Alive Wesleyan Church. Children also enjoyed amusement rides and bounce houses at the festival.
For those who came to hear gospel music, stage organizer Catlin Tierce had a lineup of ten different performers. Six of those with current or former radio singles.
There were six heat related incidents, but after being checked out by first responders and cooled down, nothing serious, officials said.
Most people came out early Saturday morning to take advantage of “cooler” temperatures.
There were misting locations in the park to help visitors cool down, and one of the best places to go was the newly remodeled restroom facilities at the entrance to the park. The building, which had been unusable for years, was completely renovated and provided a clean, cool place to go. The inside temperature remained at 62 degrees. The renovated restrooms will only be open during special events.
By mid-day Saturday, the temperature was reaching around 98 degress with a heat index of 108. The crowd gradually thinned out as the car show ended and vendors packed up around 3 pm.
Music on the amphitheater stage started at 4 pm with Blue Sky Blues Band followed by Kendall Lanford and Clearview. As Nashville country trio LEVON took the stage around 7:30 pm, temperatures were coming down and the crowd, though small, heard a very talented band, according to festival organizer David Meade.
Overall, the festival went very well according to Meade. “It was hot, but that is expected in August,” Meade said. “It is either hot or hotter and this year it was hotter. We missed the cooler weather the area had the weekend before and an evening thunderstorm that hit around 5 p.m. on Sunday. Even with August weather, a very good crowd came out to enjoy the festivities. We appreciate everyone who attended and those who helped make it a success.”
Meade said overall estimates of the crowd over the two days was around 4000 to 5000 people.
Envison Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby estimated around 3500 people were in the park early on Saturday morning, “It was a really good festival,” she said. “Very organized.” Hamby said there were 400 ” chapsticks” given out Saturday morning.
The Town of Williamston and the Spring Water Festival were featured on the Channel 7 “Zip Trip” beginning at 5 am Saturday.
Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess said, “The festival was excellent. It was hot but good. The band (LEVON) was outstanding. There were lots of vendors. Everybody had a good time.”
Photo – Nashville country trio LEVON headlined entertainment for the Spring Water Festival on Saturday.
