West Point’s Prairie Arts Festival is making a name for itself.
The hundreds of area residents who attended the 31st annual festival Saturday were joined by many out-of-state visitors, drawn to the festival through tales of good food, entertainment and shopping opportunities.
Bernice Oates, of Atlanta, first heard about the festival 10 years ago, from family in the area.
“We make it a habit to be here,” she said Saturday. “They’ve got good things to buy and the food is good, very good.
“And they have alligator on a stick,” she added, laughing.
For her fifth visit, this year Oates brought a friend, Arlene Carmichael, who traveled to West Point from Newark, N.J., specifically for the festival.
“I thought it was great for my first time here,” Carmichael said, noting she plans to return for the next one. “I loved (the alligator) and I will come back!”
Eric Erickson, of Dallas, visited the festival for the first time, with his grandchildren.
“We came out to see what’s going on, have some fun, eat some good food, drink some fresh lemonade,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun. There are a lot of church and civic groups out here fundraising and they’re selling things at a very reasonable price. So, you can buy things and help someone, too.”
Five-time festival veterans, Jennifer Lairy, of Jackson, and her family sold baked goods and the area’s “best lemonade” at the Harris Country Store stand.
“It’s been good, business has been good,” Lairy said of the festival. “People have been coming by, patronizing.”
“The fellowship and friends” are reasons enough for Lairy and her family to return every year.
“This is our whole family, four generations,” she said of those participating in the Harris Country Store venture. “We do this for our family reunion.”
Locals, both repeat festival-goers and first-time visitors to Prairie Arts, also enjoyed the festivities; beyond providing electricity for vendors and more children’s activities, few suggested changes for future festivals.
Eddie Quinn, of West Point, is a long-time business owner in the area — he owns Quinn Auto Service in Cedar Bluff — but Saturday marked his first visit to the festival.
“I run a business all the time and decided this year to take off,” he explained.
“I usually try to come every year,” said Glenda Thompson, of West Point. “It’s great; we’ve had a great time. There are numerous things I look forward to seeing every time I come. I usually find something unique. It’s a good time for Christmas shopping.”
Carl Cathey, of West Point, is a three-year veteran of the festival.
“We really like looking at the craft part of it,” he said. “Some of it is stunning. And it just seems like a bigger crowd this year.”
“I love it,” said Cathey’s wife, Sandy. “There’s actually handmade crafts and art.
“It’s a shame they can’t keep (the festival) going for two days,” she added.
“I can’t believe you get this many people for a one-day festival,” her husband agreed. “That just staggers my mind.”
Kristin Mamrack is a staff reporter for The Commercial Dispatch.
