Camellia City Fest a big hit
Published 2:31 pm Tuesday, September 13, 2022
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Saturday marked the eighth annual Camellia City Fest arts and crafts celebration in downtown Greenville.
Several hundred people attended the event despite an intermittent drizzle, which cooled the temperature a little.
Citizens slowly walked up one side and down the other of East Commerce Street in downtown Greenville.
“There’s been a steady stream of people through here all day,” said Brenda Flowers, who worked the Tupperware booth.
Some brought their children, who enjoyed climbing the rock wall sponsored by the Alabama National Guard.
Others walked their pets while taking in the music from the Bro Joe band.
All the children’s activities at City Fest were free.
The Greenville High School cheerleaders hosted a face-painting booth for the children.
Air Jumps brought inflatables for the children. Structural Wood and the Butler County Farmers Co-op helped sponsor this attraction.
Several familiar faces set up booths for the event as well as a few new ones.
The Liberty Volunteer Fire Department offered a chance to win $500 via a drawing for $2 per entry. Department members also let the kids have fun with the fire engine.
Several citizens gathered around the fire truck to take their chances with the drawing, including Shirley Killough.
“It’s only $2,” she said. “You never know. I might win.”
The Butler County Humane Society sold $1 entries to win a $100 gift basket filled with treats and surprises for pets.
“It also has a $20 Wintzell’s gift card in it,” Kimberly Matthews said.
Southern Care helped out the Kiwanis Club by offering a chance to win two tickets to either the Troy/Southern Miss or the Alabama/Mississippi State football games for $10 per chance.
Several local businesses set up booths, including: Leaf Filter Gutters, ASE Credit Union, Tiffany’s Pink Room of Scents, and Dee’s Bird Nests.
Backwoods Printing, who create everything from customized car tags to keychains and koozies, had their booth set up, too. Customers crowded the white-topped tent as they asked questions and admired the wares on display.
Poppops Creations also had a tent set up. The wood carved creations by artist Michael Mills showed great attention to detail and the years of experience he has working with wood and table saw.
The Crafty Coles can usually be found at the local Farmers Market in Greenville. Jack and Brenda have fine-tuned their mixtures of spices to enhance any number of dishes.
“We try what we like, and if it doesn’t taste right, we start over,” Brenda Cole said.
Flying Basset Farm was one booth that was packed almost all day. Bill and Betty Taylor are always creating something. Bill with his candy and pecan snakes and Betty with her crafting. She taught the craft class at the Greenville-Butler County Public Library when they offered adult activities before COVID-19.
Christy Cartwright displayed her Oh Snap jewelry, and demonstrated just how easy it is to change the designs with the interchangeable parts.
There were several more vendors present. There were more jewelry items on display, including handmade pieces.
There were vendors selling clothing, Avon and several with silk flower arrangements.
There was food and drinks and even blood pressure testing.
The Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce set up a welcome tent, and Tracy Salter, executive director of the Chamber, walked around the event, greeted people, and answered questions.
