This year's Festival Off Main is consolidated, but bigger than ever.
The festival will take place from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. This year, the festival boasts close to 100 vendors, twice as many as last year, according to Carolyn Gilbert, Chamber of Commerce Director.
Food vendors include hot dogs, bloomin' onions, barbecue, fish, steak sandwiches, boiled peanuts, turkey legs and shaved ice.
Children's activities will take place between The Depot and the annex. Santa will be there for photos during the morning. Activities will include "search Santa's sack," ornament-lottery, cookie-decorating, Santa's workshop where children can make and wrap presents for their parents, Santa's shop where children can shop for gifts, and a story time. Tina Swann, organizer of the children's activities, said most of the activities will be free. Carnival rides will be next to The Depot.
Craft vendors will include hand blown glass, yard art, Christmas decorations, baby quilts and sweaters, fresh water pearl jewelry, decorative gourds, embroidery items, stained glass, pottery and ceramics, homemade jellies, candles, whimsical signs, personalized books, hair bows, purses, ponchos, and wood crafters.
"We are only allowing handmade crafts," said Don Powers, Forward McDuffie Director. "We don't want it to be like a big yard sale."
Artwork from various local artists will feature folk art, water colors, oil, etc., and will be set up in a gallery format in one of the empty storefronts across from The Depot. Children's artwork from local schools will be displayed in The Depot, along with collections of antiques from several dealers.
For more information, visit www.festivaloffmain.org.
