Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
It was hot and humid Saturday, but that didn’t keep visitors to the Little Levels Heritage Fair from enjoying themselves. With tours of the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace and McNeel Mill, as well as festivities at Hillsboro Elementary School, there was something for everyone.
The music was old-time and bluegrass with performances from the Hefner Sisters, Juanita Fireball and the Continental Drifters, Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys, Viney Mountain Bluegrass Boys and Uncle Gary and the Porch Pickers. The harmonies were on point, and it was hard not to clap or stomp along to the beat.
The HES pavilion – which was dedicated in the afternoon with a ribbon cutting – housed crafters and bakers with lots of goods to sell. The pavilion was paid for with donations from members of the local community and is only half-way finished. The plan is to add electricity and a concrete floor, so the school is still open to donations for those who want to contribute.
The pavilion will be used by the school for activities and is also available to the community for a small rental fee.
While the music wafted around the school grounds and attendees enjoyed the display of classic cars, there were several activities to take part in including an old-fashioned tug-of-war competition, shirt tie-dyeing and even learning how to rope a calf – with a roping calf dummy.
The annual pie contest seemed like deja vu all over again with last year’s reigning champion Mike Smith taking the grade prize for his butterscotch cream pie. Coming in second to Smith in the cream pie category were two bakers – Braden Snyder and Suzanne Stewart.
In the berry category, Chris Smith kept her title as first place winner for the second year in a row with her triple berry pie. Second place went to Sydney Taylor and third place to Joyce Mullens.
For winning the grand prize, Mike Smith received a Feistaware pie plate donated by Bob and Ruth Taylor.
There were also awards for the parade entries.
In agricultural equipment, first place went to Bee Rose; second place, Dustin Simmons; and third place to Ed Workman.
In miscellaneous parade entries, first place went to Jolene Workman; second place, Little Miss Pocahontas Miley Alderman; and third place to Ken Beezley.
The Mosesso Insurance Agency won first place in the float category for its covered wagon float.
The theme for the fair this year was Pearl S. Buck Birthplace, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a museum. In addition to tours of the Stulting house where Buck was born, there was also a special photography display in the Sydenstricker Cabin of the late Doug Chadwick’s panoramic photography, hosted by Preserving Pocahontas.
