Two big celebrations to take place in area

Steve Steiner

Staff Writer

Ssteiner@elkintribune.com

Friday and Saturday promise to be a fun-filled weekend with more than just a touch of history and heritage in two communities — Boonville and East Bend.

The weekend kicks off Friday with 15th annual Boonville Heritage Days, a two-day event that got its start in 1995 when the town celebrated its bicentennial.

"The response for the first year was huge," said Jeanie Collins, this year's committee secretary. "The first year we had between 3,000 - 5,000 people turn out. Last year it was an estimated 8,000 - 10,000 people."

As it has been prior year, the event will be held on the ballfield of Boonville Elementary School, on N.C. 67.

Along with the familiar sights and attractions are some changes. In the past, Fridays were just general enteretainment. This year, said Collins, Friday has a theme: Christian Youth Night Out.

"All the events will be aimed toward young people," said Collins.

"This is an opportunity to have a good influence on our children."

Also on Friday there will be door prizes and a cakewalk.

"You buy a ticket for a dollar," she said. "You walk in a circle to the music and when the music stops, you win a cake if you're in a particular spot."

On Saturday, the Heritage Day parade starts 10 a.m. It starts at Woodruff Street and then turns left on N.C. 67. Anyone can participate, for free.

"It's a lot of fun," she said. "We have horses, tractors, school busses. It's a lot of fun."

Children will not be overlooked. In addition to attractions such as inflatables, there will be "Boonville Idol," for elementary school-age children.

This year's event almost didn't take place. After last year, committee members were exhausted and almost no one wanted to take their place. However, Tyler Barker, who graduated Starmount High School this year, and was active in last year's event, prevailed upon the committee.

"He talked us into continuing the festival," said Collins.

This year, Barker is the co-chairman.

When it was advertised last year as being the last, a number of vendors were dismayed; perhaps none so much as Billy Noles, who has been a vendor every year.

"He said it was like losing family," said Collins. "When we told him it was back on, he was very excited and shouted, 'Hooray!'"

God and Country

If you want to get a good view of the parade in East Bend for the 19th annual God and Country celebration, arrive early.

"There's hardly any place to park in town," said Candace Dinkins, this year's chairwoman.

That is how popular the God and Country celebration is.

While this is the 19th year of the event, its history dates back to 1903. According to Dinkins, Around 1903, buggy maker J.G. Huff organized a fiddler’s convention here in East Bend to celebrate the nation’s birthday. The first thing on the agenda was a grand parade. This parade featured a 17 foot violin — made to scale — by the craftsmen in the buggy factory.

Many years after that the East Bend Volunteer Fire Department sponsored the parade, along with a horse show and a Fire Queen contest.

"I remember going as a child," said Dinkins. "I would stand under the magnolias and watch the parade."

However, for reasons unknown, the parade came to an end for a number of years.

Then in 1990, some citizens began to organize and bring the celebration back to life.

They combined the patriotic spirit of the town with their love and dedication to God and service persons to create the current celebration.

In addition to the parade, which starts 9:30 a.m., will be a number of attractions that pay homage to God and Country.

The gates open 11 a.m. at East Bend Elementary School, but at the noon hour, tribute begins with the dedication service, the raising of the flag by American Legion Post 336 and the national anthem. Immediately following will be the Veterans' Honor Service.

The Rev. Ron Baity, pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem will lead an evening service in the school auditorium, starting at 6 p.m. with gospel entertainment and then a deliverance by Pastor Baity, the founder of "Return America."

Throughout the day there will be entertainment, food, fun, and fellowship following, said Dinkins.

To bring the God and Country homage and celebration to a close will be a fireworks display that starts 9:30 p.m.

Dinkins said the annual God and Country event is "always the Saturday before the Fourth of July."

That way, people who enjoy attending the East Bend event can also partake of the July 4 celebration held annually in Yadkinville.