The North Carolina Yam Festival was largely canceled last year due to the COVID 19 pandemic, but this year “Tater City” will go all out for the big yam day.
At 10 a.m. Saturday a parade will take place with over 100 units of participants including high school bands, queens, clowns, emergency vehicles, floats and so much more. The parade route will begin at the stoplight at West Fifth and Main streets, and continue straight on Main Street over the railroad tracks onto Hickman Road. It’s onto Bell Street, Pireway Road, Fifth Street, and then the parade will dissemble at Tabor City Library.
Stick around after the parade and pick up some free coloring books for the kids at the outdoor booth in the library’s parking lot. Souvenirs and t-shirts will also be available for purchase.
If you’re in the giving mood, the Blood Connection will at the festival for a community blood drive. A $20 egift card will be given to all those who donate. The drive will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The public can mosey on over to Live Oak Street for a car show hosted by the MPR Car Club. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information, contact the Yam Man himself, Tiger Lovette, at 840.333.0947.
Arts, crafts, food, and vendors will be available all day for your shopping pleasure on Main Street and Hickman Road from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. And if music and dancing is what you’re looking for, there will be live entertainment following the parade until 5 p.m. at the Todd House Wedding and Event Center Stage. Locals will be there belting out tunes for you.
The day includes a Gospel Explosion with worship teams, and singers singing their praises.
An art, photography, and sweet potato craft show will be held at the Tabor City Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, and masks are required to enter the building.
Competitions will be happening throughout the day including Basic Life Support hosted by the Tabor City EMS, the Stallion Classic hosted by South Columbus High School, and Tabor’s Got Talent located at the Fred E. Lay Stage. To sign up for the talent event, contact Erin Mincey by email at erin.e.mincey@gmail.com.
