A tater of a time

SNOW HILL — There will be plenty of tater-slinging, tossing, bowling and tasting in Snow Hill during the second annual North Carolina Sweet Potato Festival.

The festival, which will be held at the Greene County Recreation Complex through Sunday, will feature a children’s fun area, live entertainment and more than 60 vendors.

Festival committee member Meg Wyatt said the fun area will feature inflatables, along with a plethora of games that both children and adults can enjoy.

“There’s going to be lots of stuff for the kids,” she said. “Toss your tater, tater bowling, sling your tater and a tater sack race.”

Misty Chase, festival co-chair, said the committee decided to employ more traditional types of fun rather than bringing amusement rides to the festival. She said the cost of the rides would have been too expensive for the average family.

“We decided this was a lot more effective way to entertain kids so that families could do it on a budget,” she said.

A wristband for the fun area can be purchased for $5, allowing children to play all day. Chase said those participating in the costume contest Saturday will receive a free wristband.

“Saturday is Halloween and this is just another incentive to get people to come out,” Chase said.

Free parking and entertainment will also be offered throughout the weekend. Suretta, a local rock and roll band, will perform today at 8:30 p.m. Tommy Black and Blooz, along with the Chairmen of the Board will take the stage Saturday.

“We encourage people to bring their lawn chairs and relax,” Chase said.

Several new additions were added to the festival this year in an effort to appeal to individuals from all walks of life.

The “Grow it Greene” Farmers Market will feature locally-grown produce as well as fresh breads, cheeses, meats and seafood. The farmers market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Sweet Potato Paddle, a paddle trip down Contentnea Creek from Snow Hill to Hookerton, will begin at 10 a.m., with registration at 9 a.m. The 9.5-mile paddle costs $20 per person and lasts until 3 p.m.

Chase said the festival will also feature vendors selling an abundance of sweet potato products ranging from ribbon fries to baked sweet potatoes. Authentic Mexican food, seafood, hot dogs and hot wings are just a few of the other tasty treats that will be available.

“You should not leave Greene County hungry,” Chase said.

Whether you love music, food or fun, the N.C. Sweet Potato Festival is an event Chase said virtually anybody can enjoy.

“There’s going to be something for everyone, and people don’t have to come with a lot of money,” she said. “It’s going to be a fun-filled family weekend with great Greene County hospitality.”

Sarah Campbell can be reached at 252-559-1076 or scampbell@freedomenc.com.

Schedule of events

Today (5 to 10 p.m.)
8:30 p.m. — Suretta performs

Saturday (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — “Grow it Greene” Farmers Market
9 to 10 a.m. — Sweet Potato Paddle registration at the Snow Hill wildlife ramp
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Sweet Potato Paddle
10 a.m. — Costume contest registration begins
11 a.m., 1p.m., 3 p.m. — Kids tractor pull
Noon — Ballet Folklorico Espiritu Latino performs
2 p.m. — Pie-eating contest
2 p.m. — Sling your tater contest
4 p.m. — Tommy Black and Blooz performs
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Trunk or Treat
6 p.m. — Costume contest begins
7 p.m. — Chairmen of the Board performs

Sunday (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Gospel music featuring:
>The Renewed Hart Family
>the Rev. Gene Martin
>Bailey Smith
>Kasey Turnage, Ally Turnage and Bailey Smith
>Hope in Salvation