Skies clear for Brightleaf Hoedown

Shannon White
Special to the Register & Bee
Published: September 27, 2008

The rain cleared out early Saturday morning just in time for thousands of people to flood Court Square in Yanceyville, N.C., for the 27th annual Brightleaf Hoedown.

Sharon Sexton, director of the Caswell County Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual event, said she was thankful the weather cooperated and was pleased to see the large crowd that turned out despite the cloudy skies.

Crafters from around the state set up shop on Yanceyville’s Main Street to sell their wares — everything from furniture and hand-crafted minitaure tobacco barns and cabins to quilts, handbags and jewelry.

Informational booths were also on display with various organizations such as Piedmont Community College, the Caswell County Arts Council and Esther’s House, Caswell County’s domestic violence shelter, providing information about their services.

With 2008 being a presidential election year, various politicians, including Democrat State Sen. Tony Foriest and his challenger, Republican Rick Gunn, worked the crowd. Both parties had booths armed with campaign stickers and yard signs to pass out to visitors.

Along Church Street, various non-profit groups, including Relay for Life and local fire departments and churches sold a variety of food, ranging from fish and stew to the ever-popular ice cream and funnel cakes.

Free entertainment was provided throughout the day from the Bartlett Yancey Marching Band and other local talent, including local dance studios. The Part-Time Party Time band took the stage Saturday night as hoedown visitors danced the night away around the square.

Anderson Volunteer Fire Department offered a free car show, boasting classic cars and hot-rods from around the area. The Caswell County Historical Association and the Animal Protection Society both offered silent auctions.

An annual favorite, Kid’s Farm Olympics, allowed children the opportunity to get some hands on experience about life on a farm as Shirley Dabbs, C.H. Wilson and Carolyn Aldridge helped them perform a number of activities like tying and stringing tobacco, shelling corn and making fried apple pies. The kids even had a chance to race a John Deere tractor — pedal powered of course, and were rewarded for their efforts with trophies.

First organized in 1982 as a means to celebrate the rich tobacco heritage of Caswell County, the Brightleaf Hoedown is held in downtown Yanceyville the last weekend of September.

In year’s past, the Hoedown has been a two-day event, but due to dwindling Sunday attendance over the past few years, the Chamber opted to limit this year’s festival to Saturday only.

For more information on the annual Brightleaf Hoedown, call the Caswell County Chamber of Commerce at (336) 694-6106.