Despite construction, fall Antique Festival will be held Oct. 3-4
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Brenda Colwell, who operates a booth in Granny’s Attic on Market Street, said she and other downtown Clinton merchants are ready to welcome visitors to the fall Clinch River Antique Festival on Oct. 3-4, even if the street in front of the stores isn’t open yet. All downtown stores have remained open throughout the construction, and will continue to be open, she said. - G. Chambers Williams III
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Although Market Street, shown here on Monday (Aug. 25), won’t be ready for use by the fall Clinch River Antique Festival, the downtown merchants are still going ahead with the event on Oct. 3-4. Where street vendors will set up still remains to be determined, but it may be in the Commerce Street parking lot, city officials say. - G. Chambers Williams III
Although downtown street and sidewalk construction will force some key changes, the Clinch River Fall Antique Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-4, its organizers said this week.
“We do plan to have the festival, but we’re still working out the details,” said Katherine Birkbeck, program director for the Historic Downtown Clinton organization, which sponsors the event.
Still to be determined is where the numerous street vendors will be permitted to set up their booths and tables, as Market Street and part of Main Street are closed for construction work and will not be available, City Manager Roger Houck said.
“We’re having a meeting with the merchants to discuss it, but it won’t be on Market or Main streets,” Houck said. “We may move it to one of the side streets, or we possibly could use part of the Commerce Street parking lot.”
The city plans to have the sidewalks open to foot traffic for access to the Market Street and Main Street stores, and Houck said some of the downtown businesses have rear entrances, as well, which are not affected by the construction.
Birkbeck said Monday that she would be meeting with the festival committee on Tuesday, and with city officials today (Wednesday) to try to come up with a plan.
If the Commerce Street parking lot is used, there will still be some parking spaces left open for festival guests to use, plus the city’s new downtown parking lot, on North Main Street at North Hicks Street, will provide plenty of parking, as well, Houck noted.
This year, the downtown Hoskins Park, along Market Street next to Hoskins in the Flat, will be used for demonstrations.
Among Friday demonstrations, beginning at noon, will be weaving by Patty Benton; knitting with Patsy Thurman; “Incorporating Color into Antiquing,” with Pender and Peony; “The Value of an Antique,” with JD’s Auctions; and a pie-eating contest by Hamock’s.
Saturday demonstrations, beginning at 9 a.m., will include wreath-making by Hoskins in the Flat, pumpkin carving by “Dr. Carvenstein,” chair caning with Linda Steele, and rug hooking with Beth Cannon (at her booth), Birkbeck said.
Also on Saturday there will be an autumn-style fashion show by Joy in the Dawn, and demonstrations on tablescapes and entertaining by Pender and Peony, she said.
All-day demonstrations at various booths on Saturday will include watercolors with Signed Cricket, crocheting with Halle Pickle, jewelry making with Jewelry by Josh, horse-shoe art with SJN Crafts, and painting with HabbyMae Art.
The antique festival will begin at noon Friday (Oct. 3) and run until 8 p.m. On Saturday, it will resume at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.
It will include live music and other entertainment, along with the street vendors, food trucks and trailers, food demonstrations, and special promotions in Clinton’s downtown stores.
Last year, there were more than 90 vendors on hand, selling a variety of new and used merchandise, artisan goods, food and more, along with the craft demonstrations and other activities.
