Surry Business

“Celebrating Agriculture,” the second annual festival to honor agricultural producers in Surry County, will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, in Fisher River Park near Dobson. The event has been organized by the Surry County Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service.

“Our goal is to bring recognition to these stewards of the land and to educate those who partake of the bounty provided by them,” according to the organizers’ catalog. “In North Carolina, agriculture is a $64-billion industry, by far the largest in the state. By comparison, the second largest industry, tourism, generates $18 billion. Over 20 percent of the state’s employment is agriculturally-related.

“In Surry County, agriculture is responsible for 28 percent of county income and over 24 percent of the employment. This amounts to $435 million annually.”

Admission is free. Local cattlemen, ECA and 4-H groups will be selling hamburgers, ribeye-steak sandwiches, hot dogs, sonkers, soft drinks and ice cream. Farmers’ market vendors also will have fresh-grown fruits and vegetables for sale.

The festival features a number of contests and activities detailed in the catalog, including a scavenger hunt with 150 prizes.

“Celebrating Agriculture” will go on through 7 p.m.

Here’s a partial schedule:

10:30 a.m.: Family Scarecrow Contest judging
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Live broadcast on WIFM
Noon: Pedal Tractor Race
Noon: Announcement of Essay Contest winners
12:30 p.m. (on the half-hour thereafter): Puppet Show
1 p.m.: Bread-Making Contest judging
1 p.m.: Sack Race
2 p.m.: 3-Legged Race
3 p.m.: Hay Bale Stacking Contest
4 p.m.: Seed Spitting Contest
5-7 p.m.: Live music

The festival’s sponsors include Surry Telephone Membership Corp. (SMTC), Surry County Farm Bureau, Bottomley Evergreens & Farms, Southern Community Bank & Trust, Mount Airy Equipment, Carolina Farm Credit, WIFM Radio 100.9, Gerards Custom Bread Co., Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corp., Pine Hill Farm Supply, Moody Funeral Services, First Bank & Trust Co., EdwardJones and the Surry County Parks, Recreation & Maintenance Department.