Swannanoa
will host its 2^nd Annual Mill Around the Village Festival
on Saturday, September 27 from 11 am – 5 pm in the historic
downtown area of Swannanoa, where Park Street meets the railroad
tracks. Over 1500 people attended last year’s event, which
featured live music, food, arts and crafts vendors, local history and
heritage displays, and games and activities for the kids. This
year’s festival will use the same winning formula as last year,
according to festival coordinator Linda Kinney. "We had a
great experience last year," Kinney said. "The vendors
and festival attendees all commented on the wonderful community
feeling at the festival. We’re expanding the event a little
bit this year, but will continue to focus on showcasing local
businesses, craftspeople, and musicians."

Festival
goers will have the opportunity to sample food from Swannanoa Valley
restaurants, enjoy live music all day, and visit vendor booths
featuring everything from locally-made arts and crafts to free
chiropractic exams. Swannanoa weaver Sharon Horne will be back this
year with her loom, offering festival attendees the chance to try
their hand at weaving their own bookmark free of charge. Horne’s
booth was packed last year during the entire festival. "It was
so much fun to share my loom with so many first-time weavers last
year," Horne said. "I’m looking forward to doing
it again."

The
Swannanoa Heritage Exchange booth, one of last year’s most
popular exhibits, will feature expanded displays about Swannanoa’s
rich history. Old timers and newcomers alike will enjoy the photos
and artifacts from Swannanoa’s early days. Gene Mills, author
of the book Another Time, Another Place – Growing Up in
Swannanoa, will be on hand to answer questions and sign copies of
his book. And Swannanoa Valley history buff Bill Alexander will once
again lead festival goers on tours of the old, historic downtown area
of Swannanoa. Residents are encouraged to bring photographs,
mementos, artifacts, and stories that can be added to the Swannanoa
Heritage collection.

Five
musical acts will perform during the festival, including ‘Ol
Hoopty, a funk rock/blues/jazz ensemble that recently won a Mountain
Xpress "Best of WNC" award. Swannanoa resident George
Scott, who plays organ and piano with Ol’ Hoopty, said that
he’s looking forward to bringing the group’s eclectic
brand of music to a hometown venue. Singer/songwriter Bert Brown
will entertain the crowd with original songs about Swannanoa and the
Valley. Festival goers will know Bert from his long stint writing
and performing songs for Way Back When, the locally-produced
plays about Swannanoa Valley history. And local favorite Bud Bradley
will offer up some foot-tapping bluegrass with his band, Circle D.

There
are a number of ways to get involved in the 2008 festival. Many area
businesses have already signed on as sponsors of this community
event. Sponsorship levels begin at $50 and all sponsors will be
recognized on festival T shirts and other promotional materials.
Vendor booths are available for $20 ($50 for food vendors). For more
information on sponsorships and vendor booths, please call 686-4612
or email spcc2006@bellsouth.net. The sponsorship deadline for those
wishing to have their name included in festival promotions is
September 5.

Volunteers
are needed before, during and after the festival. For more
information about volunteer opportunities, please call 298-1868 or
email spcc2006@bellsouth.net.

The
Mill Around the Village Festival is sponsored by the Swannanoa Pride
Community Coalition, a nonprofit organization that seeks to bring the
community together to become actively involved in shaping Swannanoa’s
future, while honoring its unique history, heritage, and character.
Swannanoa Pride would like to extend a special thanks to the First
Baptist Church of Swannanoa for generously allowing the festival to
be held on the grounds of the church.