HERTFORD — More than 2,500 folks attended last year’s annual Indian Summer Festival in downtown Hertford. With late-summer temperatures expected to be mild, organizers are hoping for a similar turnout for this year’s festival next weekend.
More than 100 vendors offering crafts, food, beverages and more are expected to participate in the two-day 2024 Indian Summer Festival on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7, according to Stacy Layden, tourism director for Perquimans County.
The festival gets underway on Friday with a street dance. According to Layden, the Burlington-based Bounce Party Band will perform from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the band 100 Proof will perform from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and Adam Nixon will perform from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m.
Events on Saturday will also include plenty of crafters, entrepreneurs and business owners selling their goods, products and wares. A bike and car show will be held in the parking lot of Hertford Baptist Church at 124 Market Street from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
According to Layden, the show will feature all types of vehicles — antiques, hot rods, muscle cars, sports cars, trucks and motor cycles — and will include a contest in which winners in different categories will be chosen. Festival-goers will also choose a “fan favorite” from among the vehicles in the show.
Festival-goers planning to participate in the contest must complete a paper ballot before 11:30 a.m. for their vote to count. Winners in the different categories will be announced at noon.
A portion of proceeds from the bike and car show will go to Albemarle Hopeline, Layden said.
There will be a few changes to the normal traffic patterns in the downtown to accommodate the festival.
“We have all of Church Street from Grubb Street to Dobbs Street blocked off,” Layden said. “Kids’ activities are located in the Church of the Holy Trinity parking lot, and Church Street to Market will be closed.”
Representatives from the Perquimans County Library will pass out freebies and flyers to festival-goers that will promote upcoming events.
“We have a lollipop tree, and we’ll have a button maker, coloring sheets for children and some free books, bookmarks and magazines,” said Perquimans County Librarian Michele Lawrence. “We haven’t been to the festival in a few years, so I’m looking forward to being there.”
Representatives from the Harnett County-based Veteran’s Farm of North Carolina will also be on hand to inform festival-goers about their program that helps active duty military personnel preparing to leave the service become self-sufficient farmers.
“Gentlemen and ladies come to the farm feeling like they have lost their purpose as they transition from active duty to civilian life,” said Betsy Rhodes. “They learn new skills such as beekeeping, growing ornamental plants, growing mushrooms and all the everyday production skills that are used on the farm.
“We will have a flower potting project that involves kids,” she added. “The seeds we have chosen are Echinacea seeds, which represent wound healing. That’s what the farm does: helps people heal wounds. We’re looking forward to participating in the festival.”
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