How our community is getting ready for ours on September 21

One of the things that bond rural communities together is arts, crafts, agriculture, home cooked food and festivals.  Through time festivals have been a way to celebrate heritage, traditions and the culture of people and regions.  Festival events can add structure to our social lives and help connect people with their families, neighbors and communities.  Seasonal festivals often reflect the attitude of a rural community about its connecting with the land, whether it is as a livelihood or a connection to food as so many grow vegetable gardens.  These events are also meaningful as they link us to our ancestors and a slower, simpler and often a less stressful time already gone by.

The National Governors Association recently shared details via a study guide noting that some $67.5 billion to our national gross domestic product came from states in which 30 percent or more of the populations lived in rural areas less than three years ago.  Arts and culture production in rural states employed nearly 628,500 workers that year. Although these numbers my not be directly applicable to this region specifically, the uneven recovery from the great recession in rural America has spurred national attention about the future of rural areas.  Automation, globalization, the opioid epidemic and inequities in educational systems and infrastructure have left rural areas in shambles where the urban and suburban areas have thrived.  The report noted that the arts (and all that is connected with them) are not the end all answer to the rural area’s problems, but it did cite just how important building a sense of pride living in rural communities can be accomplished via arts and the activities related to them. For more details, see nga.org.

In Caswell, there are several developments around its agriculture-based economy, and an increased awareness of the arts as more entrepreneurs and ‘creators’ are making an impact in the community, that will be celebrated at the 38th Annual Hoedown.  The upcoming development by Piedmont Community College’s Caswell Campus to build an ag-business facility in Pelham is a key contributor to the excitement.  This will house classrooms and contain incubator farm plots wherein students will experience firsthand working in agriculture.  Also, in downtown Yanceyville, a new shared working space will be open by the end of the year.  Under consultation with shared working space operator, HQ Raleigh, this will position Caswell as a committed partner in supporting this new generation of small businesses.  The operation will provide our local entrepreneurs and creators a place to work and gather with high speed internet services as well as meeting space for others in the community.  The anchor tenant, Mesur.io, is an ag based technology company that worked closely with the Caswell economic developer in choosing to invest their future in Caswell County.  Other exciting investments into the future include the embarkment of a new high school and the Gunn Memorial Library being recently reopened after a major renovation.  The community also supports a seasonal weekly Farmer’s Market organized by the Caswell Local Foods Council where it has been difficult to find a parking space in recent weeks. With a county government supporting the ag based economy, they along with NCSU Extension, have added an additional livestock agent position for Caswell and a new Country Extension Director begins in August.

The 38th Annual Bright Leaf Hoedown – September 21…

So now is the perfect time for the annual festival to be reignited as a new life in the County is evident.  Replacing the ‘ho hum’ of the hoedown, is a new excitement across the county as many community members are involved in planning the event to get the ‘low down’ on the hoedown!   As the county slogan reads, we do want to ‘Preserve the Past’ by paying homage to the traditional tobacco growing, curing and marketing but we also plan to ‘Embrace the Future’ as the community begins to embrace more of the various ag endeavors that the county represents.  

With the event planned to be on ‘The Square’ as it once was years in the past, there will be agriculture exhibits, crafters and artisans.  The classic car show will be very close by and two stages of performing entertainers (including Cat5, Cuize Control, Megan Doss & Matt Crowder, Rock Steady and Jus’ Cause) will be there as well.   

The agriculture portion of the event is to be the highlight as an effort to represent both traditional ‘big’ agriculture row crops that have sustained the county for years and smaller sustainable family farms that are contributing to the local food movement.  The growth of just this population within a 60-mile radius of Caswell, is waiting for our farmers to provide the naturally grown and organic food for which a premium is paid.  As the farm to table fans clamor for the produce and livestock our farmers produce, we are sure to see positive results in the county.

The ag exhibits will include a free-range chicken demo, forestry as a crop exhibit, beekeeping, farming rabbits and flowers and more.   A ‘combine simulator’ will be there for all ages and information on hemp is included due to the significant interest in Caswell County.  And, of course, tobacco will be represented as many acres are still being grown here. Caswell County Cooperative Extension will be present and visitors will have the opportunity to meet the new Country Extension Director.

The ‘Kids Kountry’ area will host the popular Farm Olympics and the Bartlett Yancey FFA has agreed to assist with a petting zoo.  In addition, the forestry team will provide an interactive activity for the youngsters to learn more about fire prevention.  Demonstrations of 4-H agriculture-based activities will be provided to help connect the youngsters more with their food. An obstacle course provided by the National Guard and a Corn Hole Tournament with a 1st place prize of $500 will be available for all ages.

Lots of tasty local food will be present at the event with our culinary experts from area churches, Ruritans, and fire departments preparing the feasts.  A select few of Caswell entrepreneurs that operate food trucks will be present too.

The festival is a free event to the general public and is organized by the Caswell County Chamber of Commerce, a 501c (3) nonprofit governed by a local board of directors.  Visit CaswellChamber.org and click on ‘Events’ for updated details and final band schedule.  Caswell County looks forward to seeing you on Saturday September 21 at 9am for the National Anthem & Opening Ceremonies and invites you to spend the day with us as we tribute agriculture!