Merchants can benefit from large crowd at Pioneer Day

"Pioneer Day" will take place Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Lincoln County Historical Park, located on Lumber Street. Last year, approximately 3,000 people enjoyed touring the historic buildings, watching live history demonstrations, and feasting on apple fritters ham and sausage biscuits from the smokehouse, red beans and rice, turnip greens, and fried corn bread patties. "Pioneer Day" will take place Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Lincoln County Historical Park, located on Lumber Street.

This year, the event, which is sponsored annually by the Lincoln County Historical Society, is being dedicated to the memory of James B. "Buddy" Marlow, Sr., who passed away on October 17.

A founding member of the historical society, Mr. Buddy served as its president and as a dedicated member of the Wednesday work crew at the park.

This year, Pioneer Day will feature:

..Attractions such as the Bunch- Poss Gristmill; Salem Academy, a one-room schoolhouse; a pine log cabin; the Hogan Blacksmith Shop; the Groves-May House; the F.M. Hogan General Store, which was relocated to the park from the Woodlawn Community; a circa 1830 cotton gin; the Estes, Lake, & Ferguson Smokehouse; the Lewis Family Pavilion; a corncrib from the "Old Frank Hardy Place;" and more.

.. A variety of items for sale including arts and crafts; honey; home-canned jellies, preserves, and vegetables; cakes; pies; cookies; candies; and more.

All crafters interested in participating in Pioneer Day are asked to call Nina Albea at 706-359- 4300.

.. An exhibit of Model As from the 1920s, sponsored by the Old 96 District Model A Club in Greenwood, South Carolina.

.. Book-signings by native Lincoln Countian Tom Poland and historian Robert M. "Skeet" Willingham of Washington.

.. A quilt show in the Groves-May House. To enter a quilt, contact Nobie Dean Hawes at 706-359- 1056.

.. Lectures concerning matters of historical interest, delivered in the Salem Academy schoolhouse.

.. Buggy rides and hayrides.

.. A costume contest. For details, contact Jaime Reese at 706-359- 3528.

.. Living history demonstrations including blacksmithing, corn grinding, cotton ginning, and washing clothes the old-fashioned way.

.. An antique tractor show. To enter, contact Buddy Hawes at 706- 359-1056 or Russell Reese at 706- 359-4483.

.. An opportunity to taste Southern cooking at its best, with apple fritters, ham and sausage biscuits from the smokehouse, chicken and dumplings, red beans and rice, boiled peanuts, turnip greens, fried corn bread patties, hamburgers, and hotdogs, all prepared by members of the historical society.

.. Day-long entertainment, spotlighting some of the CSRA's best singers, dancers, and instrumentalists.

.. Free cotton candy and samples of freshly-pressed apple cider.

In conjunction with the festivities, local merchants are being asked to offer special sales and discounts to shoppers wearing costumes or wielding Pioneer Day programs.

Since there were approximately 3000 guests at Pioneer Day last year, the society wants to get these visitors downtown for some early Christmas shopping. Members of the Junior Lincoln County Historical Society will be doing commercials for participating merchants throughout the day on the PA system at the park.

To date, the following merchants have agreed to take part in the special promotion: Papa's Pizza, R & W Auto Parts, Goldman & Wengrow Department Store, Spratlin Hardware & Building Supply, Jericho Florist, Classic Re- Runs, and the Skin Institute of Lincolnton.

For more information regarding merchant participation in Pioneer Day, contact Sherry McKellar at the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. The number is 706-359-7970.