Littleton festival set for big weekend

After months of preparation by the Littleton Lions Club and other organizations, the 23rd annual Littleton-Lake Gaston Festival is set for Labor Day weekend.

The event begins Friday night, with food vendors setting up in the parking lot next to Casa Mia’s to open for business by 5 p.m.

Two hours later, The Castaways take to the stage in the parking lot opposite Main Street Station, playing until 10 p.m.

All the while, the carnival rides will be open and running.

In the event of rain, the dance will be moved inside to the building next to Main Street Station.

While all this is going on, 13 Pig Cook-off contestants will be setting up on the green next to the Littleton Volunteer Fire Department, getting set to cook through the night.

They’ll be busy, getting ready for Saturday morning’s judging, but they are open to folks stopping by, introducing themselves and asking questions about the cooking and the contest. Just don’t expect any of them to share their secret recipes.

The activities resume Saturday at 10 a.m., with folks coming into Littleton for a day of shopping, entertainment, eating and fun for all the family.

Crafters, vendors and local organizations will line North Main Street, and a variety of live entertainment will be on stage from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Outdoor Café, featuring baked goods being sold by the Littleton Woman’s Club, will be located under BB&T’s drive-through, and the Stray Cats Rod and Custom Show will be in parking lot behind Littleton Pharmacy.

An information booth will have raffle tickets, BBQ tickets, T-shirts for sale, and lots more. The raffle winners will be announced at 3 p.m., though they do not have to be present to win.

In recent years, with good weather, more upwards of 4,000 people have visited Littleton for the festival, and this year promises to meet, or exceed, that number.

“We’ll have more crafts, more food vendors, we’ve put extra effort on contacting more of the crafters and food vendors,” said Quinton Qualls, a member of the Lions who has helped organize the event.

He said the club has also concentrated on promoting the festival more.

“We have put a lot of extra effort in getting more people involved. The more people we get involved, the more vendors we have, the better the festival will be, and the more people we will attract.”

In addition to all the vendors and special booths set up, many of the town’s businesses will be open extended hours both Friday and Saturday, some with extra staff to help with the expected crowds.

One highlight of the festival is the Littleton Lions BBQ cook-off, which has the 13 contestants cooking their pigs all night long. After judging early Saturday morning, the BBQ will be prepared and sold to the public.

The cost for a plate is $6 and will include slaw, potato salad or bake beans and rolls.

The tickets, along with the raffle tickets, can be purchased at the information booth on Saturday, or they can be purchased in advance of the festival from any Littleton Lions Club member or at the Littleton Pharmacy, Newsom’s Insurance Agency, and Mordecai’s Restaurant.

The plates will be available from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Lions Club BBQ Tent, or the Lion’s Den for those who may wish to eat indoors.

Proceeds from the festival will go to local organizations and Lions Club service projects.

The list of vendors who had signed up as of Monday include:

Food vendors:  Andy Pettigrew; Laura Arthur: Browning’s 2; Princeton’s Cool Corner; Jan Shaw; George Ivey; Terry Walters; Eastern Star Emera Chapter 119; American Legion Post 425; Mary E. Arrington; Odell Missionary Baptist; Dippin Dots; Lisa’s Snack Shack; Robert Jenkins; Mama’s Kitchen; Mills on Wheels; Mojo’s Cakes N Stuff; TC’s Amusements; Brian & Karen Bozard; Jac’s Snacks & More.

Crafts and commercial vendors:  Lake Gaston Water Safety Council; Lake Gaston Association; Bakers’ Southern Traditions; Juanita Dickerson; Andrea McNally – Noah’s Ark Animal workshop;

Gail Rhoads; Kaye Story; Sarah Salmon; James Walston – J&C Leather; Gwen Jones/Something Special; Country Angel Soy Candles; Mirror Image; Aleisa Miller; Anzio Barnes; Lisa Taylor; Teresa Guinn (TAG Jewelry);

Lake Gaston Piecemakers; Halifax County Master Gardners; J.A. Pearson Water Color Paintings; The Cat’s Meow; Joe Morris; Friends of Littleton Library; Elaine Allen; Glenn Frazier; Frances Brewer; Matt Gibson;

Lori Paythress; Claudese Lynch; Karen MacRae; Wayne Herrman; Colleen’s Creations; Renate Ingram; Greta Braswell; K&J Creations; Shoreline Specialists; Border Magic McCabe Enterprise, LLC; Jean Gardiner Lake Gaston Living; Angula Williams;

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church; Shirlene Claiborne; Cathy Richell/Terry L. Dawes; Jonathan Bradley; Jeff Best Candle Shoppe; Lake Gaston Retirement Village, Inc.; Joyce Fitts; Carolyn Baker; Walter and Jane Potts;

Judy’s Beanies and Barbies; Tony Armisto; Jenny & Dean’s Jewelry; Classic Address Signs; Knot Just Country; Bea Dwonch; Debbie Jones; Pat Ray; Mable Slade; Judy Smith; Bob’s Wind Planes and Ships;

Tim Radford; Rainbow Animal Rescue; Ranjit Mootoo, National Guard; Rural Health Group; Guardian Ad Litem; the Lake Gaston Gazette; WZRU 90.1 & 90.5 FM; and H&R Block.