Lots of folks would 'Rather be in Tignall' for great fall festival

One of Wilkes County's largest festivals, Saturday's "I'd Rather Be in Tignall" Fall Festival, is expected to draw an even bigger crowd this year after being featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The festival will be held at the old Tignall High School on Independence Street from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Downtown Freddie Brown will be Master of Ceremonies, and Tignall Christmas ornaments, "I'd Rather Be in Tignall" t-shirts, a display of old photos, and lots of food will be the highlights of the day.

This event, put on by the North Wilkes Steering Committee, has grown considerably in the last several years and touts a large number of vendors presenting jewelry, art, wood working, quilts, pottery, and lots of other handmade items.

Besides arts and crafts, this festival includes children's activities, entertainment, and a wide array of food vendors. Admission and parking are also free.

The old-fashioned fall festival will feature a cake walk, bingo, hayrides, a petting zoo, pony rides, live music, cloggers, a moonwalk and slide, striker putting green, candy corn contest, face painting, a spinning demonstration, a kids fashion show, and lots of food.

There will also be door prizes, including some cash prizes, raffles for a quilt made by the Homemakers Club and a hooked rug made by Margaret Fortson.

Planning their annual events to compliment one another, the Washington Wilkes Foundation for the Arts and Performing Arts and the North Wilkes Steering Committee worked together to provide a fall Saturday of diverse activities in Washington and Tignall with the art show continuing on Sunday.

For visitors to the area, Tignall is located north of Washington on U.S. 17. At the only traffic light, turn left and the festival is on the right.