Whether from the area or just visiting, it’s clear that Wardensville’s Fall Festival has grown into one of the most popular multiday events in the area. Growth in interest developed so much that organizers put together a smaller, yet still well-attended Spring Festival.
Susan Markofski shared that “currently I have over 120 vendors signed up,” making it one of the largest gatherings of vendors ever. She shared that “one year I had 128.”
A lot of new faces will come in for the festival, starting with the live music. Jack and Davis Reid, who just released their new album “Don’t Wanna Talk About It,” will perform from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. “Streamline Music Playing the Good Stuff” will take the stage Sunday at 1 p.m.
Jack and Davis Reid bring not only tremendous music, but also bloodlines. They are grandsons of the legendary Statler Brothers and have performed recently in Pendleton County. “I saw them at Bergton a couple of years ago,” shared Markofski.
She added that “our food is always talked about” and this year should be no different. The famous Fireman’s BBQ Chicken will be ready for early lunch at 10 a.m. Saturday morning. “That Fireman’s BBQ tastes like nobody else’s!”
A number of food trucks and vendors will also have a variety of offerings. Those even include kids’ old time favorites such as cotton candy and caramel apples. A possible first time offering at the festival will be a Georgia favorite, boiled peanuts.
“The Methodists will be in the cook shack too. They always make a really good bean soup,” said Markofski.
About one third of the vendors signed up are “our backbone” of those who come every year, one third who come some years and not others, but also a large number who have never come to Wardensville at all. About a half dozen will have kid friendly offerings as well.
Saturday also offers the Fall Festival parade at 4 p.m.. Says Markofski, there’s no sign up, just come down in time to line up at Pendleton Community Bank and go. An hour after the parade starts comes the auction. “The highlight is all the homemade cakes. Some years, we had so many cakes.”
On Sunday comes more family fun. Kids line up for hours ahead of time to wait their turn for the fire truck rides that start at one o’ clock.
She shared gratitude for the support of a number of individuals and groups. Capon Valley Bank supports the festival, especially through providing some of their yard space for vendors. PCB sponsored the trophies as well.
Markofski also noted the team of firemen who spent four hours marking off the lines for the vendors and related that “Billy Smith gets the guys to do anything I need to get done.”
