Welcome to the John Blue Cotton Festival

The signs of fall are all around us. As you travel through Scotland County you can feel the temperature change during the day and night. Homeowners are busy planting mums and raking their yard. If you pass farm acreage, you will most likely see a farmer or two in their field examining or spraying their cotton crop. All of this is an indication that the annual John Blue Cotton Festival is fast approaching.

The 2010 festival was a great success and the festival committee has worked hard to ensure that the 2011 festival will be just as big a hit. Visitors can expect to see many of their favorite vendors as they return another year to share their crafts. Local dance groups are scheduled to appear on the outdoor stage and some well known singing groups have committed to perform. Kids of all ages can still enjoy spending time in the Old Timey Games area. Best of all, you can enjoy your time at the festival with family and friends!

We look forward to seeing you again this year!

Parking

Attached is a map of available parking spaces that are across the street from the John Blue House. If all of the lots are full, we have a three shuttle buses that will run from the Scotland County Government Complex parking lot located at 1405 West Blvd. about a mile from the festival grounds. Shuttle parking is free and the buses will run frequently.

Entertainment Schedule

This year we have some exciting performances scheduled. Among the headliners for our stage performances you will be able to enjoy The Catalinas on Saturday and The Oxendines on Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday please follow the sounds of the Strolling Street organ to be entertained by Alberti and the Flea Circus. Sunday you will also be able to enjoy the antics of Rocky the Trick Mule.

There are many events scheduled throughout the weekend for visitors to enjoy. Among these demonstrations are the Cotton Gin and the Sawmill demonstrations which replicate the methods used years ago to produce cotton and wood planks. You will also see corn being converted into corn meal. These are just a few, but so much more is available for everyone to see.

For your convenience, we have listed the entertainment schedule on our Entertainment page. If you would like to download a copy of this schedule to bring with you to the festival, please click here for a PDF version.

Old Timey Fair

The Old Timey Fair is designed to allow residents to have an opportunity to compete in a fair. Entries can be submitted in two age groups. The first group is for participants ages 19 and up. Their entries can be in the following categories: Horticulture, Plants, Flower Arrangements, Handicrafts, Clothing, Baked Goods, Arts, Jewelry, Holiday Items, and Miscellaneous. The second age group is for particpants from age 5 to 18. Categories for this group are: Clothing, Arts, Flower Arrangements, Handicrafts, Foods, Horticulture/Vegetables, and Miscellaneous. Sapce is limited so contestants are limited to submitting one item in each category. Your item must have been made within the last year. Winning entries will be on display in the Shaw Cabin on October 8 & 9 during the John Blue Cotton Festival. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded in each category. For further details, contact the Extension Office (910) 277-2422, Juanit Bowen (910) 276-6835, or Ida Stewart (910) 276-4476.