LAURINBURG — The 32rd annual John Blue Cotton Festival returns this weekend to celebrate yesteryear — rain or shine. Hurricane Matthew is dampening the outlook for Saturday as heavy rains and strong winds are expected to pummel the area.

Festival chairman Jim Blue, a distant relative of the festival’s namesake, said he and the other committee members aren’t saying the word rain, in the hopes that the storm will miss Laurinburg.

“We aren’t really talking about that. We don’t say the word rain, we spell it a lot but we don’t say it” said Jim Blue, festival chairman. “Last year, we were also rained out on Saturday. We’re just hoping for sunny, clear skies all weekend. The festival will be going on this weekend, rain or shine.”

Banishing the thoughts of bad weather, the Cotton Festival allows visitors to experience the traditions of a cotton farm from 1891. The event incorporates old farm tractors and tools, cotton harvesting machines, antique cabins and an old-fashioned way of life for modern folk. The cotton gin, that sits on the grounds of the John Blue House, will be in operation with the help of two mules.

Free pony rides, a tractor pulling contest for children, train rides around the grounds and old-time games will ensure there is something for every member of the family to enjoy.

The Old Timey Games have been around ever since the first John Blue Festival and residents partake in the activities year after year, generation after generation.

“We will have Old Timey Games where children can walk on tin-cans or stilts, jump rope, play checkers, marbles, hopscotch and this year we’ll have a tractor-pulling contest for the little ones,” said Blue.

This year, the festival will also have numerous acts performing on the main stage — both Saturday and Sunday — including Jimmy Blue and the Embers. There will also be a single-elimination Cornhole tournament at begins on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place teams. The cost is $30 per team and the cutoff date is today. Teams can still sign up on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 with an additional $10 late fee.

The main stage line-up for Saturday includes Glamour Athletics from 11 to 11:45 a.m. followed by Zumba from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Krazy Feet Cloggers from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.; Jimmy Blue from 1:15 to 2 p.m.; Crystal McInnis School of Dance from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and Karen Gibson School of Dance from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.

Before the Embers take the stage on Sunday, there will be people walking around playing blue-grass and country music to entertain those in attendance. Admission to see The Embers, a group know for beach music, featuring Craig Woolard will be $5. The concert will take place on the main stage from 1 to 4 p.m. Woolard will be the lead vocalist and will also play saxophone and flute.

The event will have more than 60 vendors selling merchandise and food. Everything from homemade crafts and wooden sculptures to pottery, quilts and wreaths will be available under a gathering of tents. Visitors will have a wide-variety of foods to choose from, anything from hot dogs and hamburgers to none other than the famous collard sandwiches.

“That’s one of my weaknesses, I usually eat at least three or four collard sandwiches over the two days,” said Blue.

Blue is most looking forward to having a good crowd again this year, generally he said the festival draws between 8,000 and 10,000 people over the two days.

“This is one of the largest festivals in the area,” he said. “We are hoping that both days are going to be nice, sunny and comfortable to walk around in. We want to have a big crowd come and enjoy all the festival has to offer.”

Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.

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Despite rainy Saturday forecast

By Amber Hatten

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