Comment
Print
An annual festival in downtown Rutherfordton is providing a way for folks to gather just as they did so many years before.
“I call it your front porch,” said Cindy Adair, director of Rutherford Town Revitalization, of the annual MayFestival event, set for this year on Saturday, May 2. “People don’t sit and chat like they used to, but if you walk up and down the street at MayFest, it’s that same type of old-fashioned feeling of everybody getting together.”
It comes as no surprise. The event, now in its 43rd year, began during a time when front porch sitting was more common. MayFest was created, Adair continued, to bring people downtown to foster a sense of community.
“I think that MayFest really creates an awareness of the merchants in downtown,” Adair said. “A lot of people come back later to purchase things they don’t maybe purchase that day. Many of our vendor booths are non-profit organizations and youth groups, and it serves as a great way to get their message into the community.”
Vendor fees go back into the town, she added, to continue to provide events and activities to bring people into downtown as well as providing facade grants to downtown businesses.
While street fair food and arts and crafts will again be featured at this year’s event, there are also several newcomers bringing more fun to the fest.
“Rowdy’s Rodeo will be bringing a bull riding machine for children and adults to have a hand at for a fee,” Adair said. “We also will have Race Day Motorsports, who bring a 40-foot school bus that’s set up with eight virtual racing simulation stations.”
Arts and crafts vendors from as far away as Virginia are also new this year, and Rutherfordton Police are offering a dunking booth, she said.
Outdoorsmen and women have an opportunity to take part in bicycle and running events with the Rutherford Women’s League Color Blast 5K and the Gears and Gables bike ride, which benefits Rutherford Housing Partnership (see related story.)
All of the fun isn’t just limited to May 2. Fridays Unplugged on Central, an acoustic, pick-up type music event, will be held as a kick off to MayFest on Friday, May 1.
“We encourage people to bring their lawn chairs and sit outside and enjoy listening to the music,” Adair said. “Fridays Unplugged will continue on the first Friday of each month through September. We’re hoping it does well so that we can also have an October event, which would lead into OctoberFest.”
Participating bands will be up for prizes, and a traveling trophy that will be moved from the winning band from month to month is planned.
There is no charge for the Friday music events or to attend MayFest, Adair said.
For more information, visit Rutherford Town Revitalization at www.rutherfordtown.com
