LA GRANGE — Home to flowering dogwoods, azaleas and lush greenery, La Grange is having its 2013 Garden Spot Festival on Sept. 6-7.
The town, built on a plantation and incorporated in 1869, was branded the name “Garden Spot” from the view of railroad passengers as the trains rode through the area. It’s said to have been founded accidentally when the railroad made an error in their plans for a track running from Goldsboro to Kinston.
The first Garden Spot Festival was held in 1986, although in some years since then there was no festival held.
This year’s event, sponsored by the La Grange Chamber of Commerce, will be held at the La Grange Community Park on Railroad Street.
Chamber President Lavaron Howell said 37 vendors had signed up by Friday, with 10 slots left to fill.
“I think we’re going to draw really large crowds,” she said.
It plans to be bigger this year with two new events — a La Grange Lions Club 5K run/1-mile run and a Cornhole Tournament.
Also new will be a mechanical bull ride. Other activities include children’s activities, arts and crafts, performances, vendors and food. The Chamber is seeking a face painter, as well, Howell said.
Wristbands can be purchased for $3 for the rides, which include the bounce house, dunking booth and strength-testing game.
Spare Change of La Grange will kick the festival off with a concert from 7-11 p.m. on Friday. Vendors will also be onsite starting at 6 p.m.
Backyard Groove of Pinetops is the featured concert from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday.
If there is inclement weather, the two concerts, as well as the Cornhole Tournament, will be moved to the La Grange Elementary gymnasium. All other events will remain at the park.
Registration for the Garden Spot Lion Trot 5K run/1-mile run begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday with the races beginning at 8 a.m.
Chris Murphrey, a Lions Club member and “tail twister,” said he has friends that participate in races.
“I thought it would be something a little different for a fundraiser,” he said about supporting the club, which was formed about a year ago.
Proceeds support the Lions Club, which helps local underprivileged children obtain free eye exams and eyeglasses.
People can register the morning of the races or pre-register by visiting lagrangenc.com/garden_spot_festival.
“We’ve had a good crowd register, so far,” Murphrey said on Friday. “… We want as many people as we can. We’re kind of planning for about 75 people to run.”
Heith Harrison, a Chamber member and town employee, said he’s played in Cornhole Tournaments in other areas and thought it would be a good fundraiser for the festival.
“It’s a really popular game to be played,” he said.
Entry fee is $20 per player or $40 a team.
Harrison said he hopes to have 40 teams registered, and registrants can form their own teams for the double-elimination tournament.
There will be three cash prizes — $500, $250 and $100. Prizes will be prorated if there are fewer than 40 teams.
Registration will begin at noon and the races start at 1 p.m.
To pre-register, make checks payable to La Grange Chamber of Commerce, and write “Corn Hole Tournament” on the front of the check. Mail to La Grange Chamber of Commerce, Attn: Heith, P.O. Box 368, La Grange, NC 28551.
Two cornhole boards, built by town electric department employees and paid for by the Chamber, will be raffled off during the Garden Spot Festival in La Grange. Tickets are $5 each for two chances to win a Duck Dynasty and American flag board.
For information, call Heith Harrison at 252-566-3186 or email jhharrison@lagrangenc.com.
Children from E.B. Frink Middle School’s art classes designed logos for the festival and a winner has been selected for this year’s T-shirts, Howell said.
The T-shirts will be sold for $10 from youth to extra large and $12 for 2x and 3x sizes. They will be available sometime this week.
For information about the T-shirts or festival in general, call the event coordinator Chris Smith at 252-526-1332.
“I am really looking forward to a spectacular festival this year,” Howell wrote in an email. “We have some wonderful activities for all ages to enjoy.”
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
Breakout box
2013 Garden Spot Festival
La Grange Community Park, Railroad Street
Spare Change concert: 7-11 p.m., Sept. 6
Festival: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sept. 7
Cost: No entry fees; $3 for all-day wristband for rides
Inclement weather: Tournament and main concerts – La Grange Elementary gym
Sept. 7 events:
5K run/1-mile run: 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. races
Dance Etc., 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Cornhole Tournament: 1 p.m.
Reggie Rouse, rap music artist from La Grange, 1:45-2:45
E.B. Frink Middle School Cheerleaders, 3-3:30 p.m.
Backyard Groove concert: 7-11, Sept. 7
Raffle winners announced: During concert intermission