‘A tradition:’ Autumn Jubilee shines in 39th year
Published 12:10 am Sunday, October 7, 2018
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST The Salisbury band Wayward Reason was one of the several bands that entertained from the stage on Saturday. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Many festival goers decided to walk to the festival from the parking lot and by passing the hay trailers pulled by tractors. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Tractors pulling a hay trailer shuttled people between the parking lot and the festival. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Mike Allen puts a whole potato through a slicer to make french fries at the Hoff's Grill food booth. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
Salisbury Post FILE PHOTO — The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park in 2018.
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Paytyn Sierawski and Sophie Pettit paint their pumpkins at perennial favorite attraction at the Jubliee. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Paytyn Sierawski and Sophie Pettit paint their pumpkins at perennial favorite attraction at the Jubliee. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Autumn Stokes (4) from Concord, enjoys sitting on the back of the small triceratops at the Dakota and Friends exhibit. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Nora Masicampo (2) sits on there back of a baby triceratops at the Dakota and Friends tent. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST "Jeb" roams the park entertaining the festival goers. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Brantley Deal, from China Grove, makes his way up the climbing wall. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Festival goers browse the vast amount of crafts and items offered for sale by vendors. the The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST The craft vendors is huge draw for the festival attendees. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST MArjorie Burns, from Sparta and Danielle Patch , from China Grove, stop to look at the Tony Underwoods tree creations hangers. The 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park was held on Saturday. . Salisbury, NC. 10/6/18
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST The food vendor area was pack with people looking for a bite to eat during the 39th annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park. 10/6/18
By Rebecca Rider
rebecca.rider@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Autumn Jubilee kicked off its 39th year with balmy temperatures and plenty of shade from overcast skies. The annual festival, held at Dan Nicholas Park, generally attracts about 60,000 people during its two-day run; but Events Coordinator Andrea Baucom said that, with the weather, she’s anticipating more.
“This year we’re expecting huge crowds,” she said.
Attendance has been poor the last three years due to weather, and the festival was cancelled in 2015 due to heavy rains. This year, however, Baucom and other organizers are hoping for a comeback. The event features live music, entertainment, good food and handmade crafts. Selling handmade items has been a prominent feature of Autumn Jubilee since day one.
“It kind of individualizes every item,” Baucom said.
This year, the festival showcases 130 vendors, along with music by Heart Breaker, Too Much Sylvia, Darrel Harwood and Mailvis. The Kid’s Zone features Dakota and Friends: A live dinosaur experience. It’s a good mix, Baucom said.
“This year I think we’ve got the best variety we’ve ever had,” she said.
But Autumn Jubilee is more than just a craft fair — it’s a tradition for many Rowan County residents. Wanda Kluttz said she’s been to just about every Jubilee.
“I like to come every year,” she said. “It’s a fun time for me. …I don’t know when I haven’t been to Autumn Jubilee.”
One of the things that keeps her coming back is that Jubilee is a chance to catch up with old friends. Kluttz said she often runs into former classmates, or people she doesn’t usually see at other events. It’s “a wonderful time.”
“I’m just so glad they have this for the community,” she said.
Dolores Russell and her family meet each year at Jubilee, taking the time as a sort of reunion.
“It’s just a thing you go to,” she said of the festival.
But it was definitely worth the trip. Russell said she enjoyed seeing what people made and what they came up with.
“It’s just cute to see the unique things that they make,” she said.
Carol Clifford and her husband moved to Rowan County two and a half years ago. In that time, they’ve fallen in love with Dan Nicholas Park and Autumn Jubilee.
“We’ve come every year since,” Clifford said.
According to Baucom, there’s something for everyone at Autumn Jubilee — which is one reason it’s flourished for so long in the community.
“It is a tradition,” she said.
Jubilee will open today at 10 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. Parking and admission are free. Pets are not allowed at Autumn Jubilee. For more information, call 704-216-7803.
Autumn Jubilee is sponsored by Cheerwine, Bojangles, Novant Health, Bath Fitter, Atrium Health, Carolina Home Remodeling and Gerry Wood Auto Group.
Contact reporter Rebecca Rider at 704-797-4264.
