HAPPENING ON THE COMMON 2010

Smaller crowd, but plenty of entertainment, children’s activities

W. TERRY SMITH Editor

TARBORO — There were less people at the 39th annual Happening on the Common Saturday, but a good time seemed to be had by all in sunny, hot conditions.

“Perfect,” said Carol Banks of the Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Council that coordinates the daylong event. “It makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

There were about 11 less arts and crafts vendors this year due to several reasons, but several said sales were brisk despite the reduced attendance.

Neither Banks nor Arts Council Executive Director Buddy Hooks were pleased that Edgecombe County Relay for Life moved its annual Friday night-Saturday morning event a week later to conflict with Happening.

“We’ve been doing this on the third Saturday in May for how long?” Banks asked. “Thirty-nine years. It’s one of the oldest festivals in Eastern North Carolina … I hope they don’t do it again next year.”

 There were more children’s activities this year, and kids took advantage.

“We doubled the size of our tent to accommodate everyone,” Hooks said.

In addition to the creating with clay table and visiting the Sylvan Waterfowl Park petting zoo, children worked with art teachers Dazzala Knight and Karen Pfaendler to make more than 100 birthday cards in honor of the Town of Tarboro’s 250th anniversary.

The kids are competing in categories identified by age. Winners in each category will be recognized and will formally present their cards to Mayor Donald Morris at the community birthday party  on the Town Common Saturday, Sept. 25 during History Day.

Also, Andy Blythe was on hand to sing songs that the children acted out.

Claudia Dersch patiently painted faces.

Across the street children could play on Abrams Amusements.

On the Common, the bleachers around the stage and dance floor stayed full all day while folks watched the diverse entertainment ranging from jazz performers to a bluegrass band to senior citizens and school children dancing to the Edgecombe County Public School Gospel Choir.

“Thank you-all for sticking around,” said 16-year-old country singer Kaitlyn Flythe  when she took the stage at 4:30 p.m.

Visitors could visit the 12 old cars on display by the Born Again Classic Car Club.

“They come by and say, “I used to have one like that,’ or ‘My daddy had one like that,’” said Lewis Jones standing next to his metallic red 1964 Chevy Impala.

The county Master Gardner Program Volunteers showed children how to pot a plant.

Former University of North Carolina and pro football standout Kelvin Bryant sat almost unnoticed at the Britthaven table trying to stay awake.

“I was out at Relay last night,” he said.

“It’s been a little slower this year,” said Doris Wall, who was selling homemade jewelry.

“A lot of events today.”

“We did OK, but not as good as last year,” said Karen Johnson of Speed at Cuppy’s, which offers homemade canned treats. “The crowd wasn’t as big.”

The day’s effort was in memory of her mother, Mary Manning, who passed away April 15.

 



 

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