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China Grove celebrates Farmers Day
Jonathan E. Coleman / jcoleman@independenttribune.com
(Left to right) Charlie Honeycutt shows off his 1951 John Deere "M" tractor to Claude and Mary Frances Hough at the Farmers Day in China Grove on Saturday.
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Published: July 19, 2009
CHINA GROVE — - Don't be fooled by the name. Farmers Day was for family and friends too.
"I always get to see my friend, Louise (Shive) here," said Eileen Hess, of Landis. "I worked with her before she retired, and we always make sure we see each other at Farmers Day."
More than 35,000 people were expected to attend the 28th Famers Day along Main Street on Saturday. The daylong event featured more than 200 craft, food, civic and game vendors and a variety of entertainment.
Many of the people who attended come every year for a variety of reasons.
"We like the crafts and seeing what everybody has," Lisa Bentley, of China Grove, said. "It's a good hometown atmosphere where people are friendly and not rude. It's good to take the family to."
The event originally began as a way to promote bringing produce to the town at a good harvesting time of year, said Lee Withers, chairman of the event and member of the China Grove town council.
"This is our largest promotion of anything," Withers said. "Now, it's grown into (an event with) arts and crafts and antique tractors. It's a good way to give back to the community."
The antique tractors, featuring those from years such as 1934 and 1951, were a popular attraction for men at Farmers Day. Rusty Hawks, of China Grove, came to see the tractors, as did N.C. Rep. Fred Steen.
"I'm a sucker for old tractors and old cars," Steen said. "There's something here for everybody."
Steen also enjoyed talking to locals about their concerns, which he said was a nice change from being in Raleigh most of the time.
As for Hess and Shive, they enjoyed eating watermelon and sat on a bench close by where it was being served.
"We have named ourselves the watermelon queens," Hess said. "They've got two (watermelons) left, and we're keeping an eye on them."
And while the watermelons were an added bonus, like most people, Hess and Shive have been attending Farmers Day for years to see friends and catch up.
Kelly Cole, of China Grove, came for the same reason.
"It's like a high school reunion," Cole said. "(I like) just coming here and seeing everything they have."
• Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 7040789-9152
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