Crowd pleasing good time at Saturday in Carlisle Fall Festival

Glorious sunshine and autumn temperatures made for the perfect backdrop for this year’s Saturday in Carlisle Fall Festival.

“It’s been a wonderful day, this is biggest crowd we have ever had. We have over a hundred vendors, and I’ve heard we had to even turn some away. I’ve heard there are plans next year to close off more streets to allow for more vendors to participate. We have had a busy day here at the courthouse with more than 190 people getting free flu shots. I haven’t talked to the folks at the Blood mobile yet, but I’ve seen lots of people going in and out so they have been really busy too. The Chamber and the Rotary members do a fantastic job getting this all organized and they work really well together to make this a wonderful event even better each year,” County Judge Executive Mike Pryor said.

Karen Hawkins, a Nicholas County resident, is a local crafter and decided to set up a booth during the event.

“I have always just sold my crafts to friends and coworkers so being a vendor is a completely new experience for me. But I am glad I decided to set up today. My husband, Mike, and I have been pleased with how well we’ve done,” Karen said.

The antique truck and car show allowed for old friends to share in the day’s festivities as well.

For California native John Cook, who brought his vintage corvette to the show, the day was spent catching up with old friends as well as making new ones.

Small town festivals such as this are a way of life for my wife and I,” John said. “We love meeting people and making new friends at these events.”

Eugene Hall who brought his 1953 Chevy Texaco Truck to the show, echoed the same sentiment.

“I love attending Saturday in Carlisle, it brings people back that have lived away and it’s just a fun day for everyone, Eugene said. Even my granddaughter Riley loves to attend with us,” he said as he pointed to the little girl who happened to be eating a lunch of fried fish as she sat in the trunk of her grandfather’s 1955 Chevy.

Directly behind the car show, a pop-up Veteran’s museum was filled with memorabilia from local soldiers that served their country and one of those veterans showcased was among Saturday’s crowd and enjoying a day of freedom to celebrate.

“It sure is a beautiful day for a festival,” World War II Veteran. Charlie Wilson said as he shook hands with several folks in the crowd who thanked him for his service.

Wilson said he truly enjoys attending the fall festival each year and getting to talk with as many people as he can throughout the day.

“I come out to enjoy Saturday in Carlisle every year if I can. I think this is the biggest crowd I have seen so far,” Wilson said. It’s such a beautiful day and it is nice to see everyone come out and have a good time. I love listening to the gospel groups and especially Brothers in Christ, I follow them just about everywhere they go”, Wilson said with a sincere smile.

As Brothers in Christ sang “Washed in the Blood of the Lamb, Wilson made his way through the crowd to find his front row seat.