Gloria Ware (left), co-chairman of the North Wilkes Steering Committee, and Jean Wells Parker (right), winner, hold the quilt made by the Homemakers Club. What a wonderful day for a festival!

That was the kind of day we had in Tignall Saturday. It has been perfect weather for seven years, but Saturday was warm enough to have food vendors selling out of ice cold drinks.

The little stagecoach horse rides, hayride and face painting made a big hit with the children. The cute group of children who entered the children's fashion show were Belle Bradford, Molly Dawson, Jordan Dawson (who was more interested in the pumpkins on stage that showing off his outfit), Whitney Dawson, Chloe Fain, Jade Fincher, Kaci Gammon, Kara Gammon, Marlecia Mills, Abbey Range of Bethlehem, and Sydney Tyler of Hoschton. They all received a certificate and a ribbon.

The beautiful bowtie quilt made by the Tignall Homemakers club was won by Jean Wells Parker. The picnic table built and donated by Frankie Ware was won by D.D. Shaw.

Rosa Lee Martin had the closest guess for how many candy corns were in the glass pumpkin. Some great door prizes were given away such as a $50 cash prize, a collector's coin from Farmers State Bank, a savings bond from Farmers and Merchants Bank, a savings bond from Regions Bank, and a DVD player donated by Thomas Albea. The steering committee had to beg people to sign up for a door prize because they thought they had to pay for a chance to win.

Sheena Kopecky, our Miss Wilkes County, attended the festival and spoke to the crowd. Music by the Praise Group and Freddy Brown and Band was enjoyed by everyone. We were fortunate to have Amanda Range of Bethlehem, daughter of O'Neal and Celeste Adams, sing the national anthem to begin our festival.

Many people found their pictures in the old photo display. That was a place to reminisce and meet all old friends who return each year to the festival.

The benches made by Frankie Ware were perfect perching places for everyone and many compliments were made on them. This festival could not have taken place without the help of all the following volunteers: The Tignall Police Department, Rev. Edward Andrews, Graydon Bobo, Gary Butts, Dale Denard, Richard Gammon, Amanda Range, David Shoemaker, Frankie Ware, John Carter, Randy Luke, Scott and Kathy Ware, Jimmy Harper, Nicole Hicks, Amber Ware, Roy Harrison, Jack Bentley, Elaine Jackson, Billie Ann Smith, Clyde Rogers, Betsy Harrison, Johnny Burns, Blake Thompson, Chuck Carroll, Hugh and Dave Keener, all the people who donated home baked cakes and pies, and Independence Methodist Church for serving free breakfast Saturday morning, and for providing parking for the festival.

There will be a special thank you next week to the merchants of Wilkes County who donated prizes used for bingo and door prize.

The North Wilkes Steering Committee, a non-profit organization, is the official sponsor of this festival. The proceeds from this event will be used for various community projects such as the gazebo on the old school grounds and selected charities.