Askewville, Kelford host fall festival events

It’s fall festival season in Bertie County.

Last Saturday town and county officials attended festivals across the county in Kelford and Askewville.

Kelford’s Mayor Ahmad Vaughan and his team did a tremendous job of making last Saturday a “Fun Day” for everyone attending.

There were children in abundance enjoying train rides as well as bounce houses. Music filled the air as well as people milled about through the vendors in attendance.

County Commissioners John Trent and Ron Roberson were in western Bertie County for the event. The town of Kelford commissioners, Timmy Eaton, Raymond Eaton, Mike Johnson and Kenny Cain worked diligently to assist with the event.

Rounding out the officials in attendance, Roxobel Mayor Gary Johnson and Windsor Commissioner L.C. Hoggard joined approximately 400 guests throughout the day. There were three food vendors and three dessert vendors to tempt taste buds.

Askewville Mayor Gloria Bryant once again turned the small town of Askewville into Fall Harvest Funville for a day of face painting, entertainment food and frolic.

The Askewville Community Building and grounds overflowed with residents and visitors enjoying the town’s picturesque ambiance.

Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin, Jason Johnson, Fletcher White and RT Johnson took the stage to provide musical entertainment.

The whirl of helicopter blades had heads pointing upwards as the ECU Health EastCare landed transforming looks of curiosity into mile wide smiles.

The event lasted throughout the day and the crowd enjoyed food, fun, music and community camaraderie.

Those were just the first festivals on tap.

On Saturday morning Oct. 5, the Breaking Bread Cafe will be packed with patrons preparing to attend the Aulander Harvest Fest beginning at 11 a.m. in Aulander Park.

This year’s event offers a full house of entertainment with live bands, a variety of crafts and vendors and of course, jumpy houses and food trucks.

This year the town has a number of events scheduled to please both young and old.

The town may still be looking for a Bingo caller, and expects a large crowd of enthusiastic players marking cards and shouting “Bingo.”

Face painting and bounce houses will be part of the kids attractions. There will also be a caricaturist on hand to transform faces into characters. Face painting will also be featured for the kids.

Cake lovers may want to come early as there is a bake walk and cake auction.

Aulander Town Clerk and Finance Officer Lynne Connor is looking forward to the event.

“The smiles, laughter and chatter make it all worthwhile for me,” said Conner.

Bertie County pickle queen Laura Burden will once again be selling, Sweet, Bread and Butter and her famous Watermelon Rind Pickles.

This year’s Aulander Harvest Fest begins at 11 a.m. and continues until 7 p.m. at Aulander Park. There will be no golf carts allowed on the ball field this year.

Also, this Saturday Wynne’s Grove is celebrating the season with a Harvest Festival that begins with a parade beginning at 10 a.m.

The festival will feature live entertainment, turkey legs, fried crabs and a chicken shack. The event continues throughout the day at 221 Wynnes grove Church Rd. in Colerain.