RALEIGH —
Hundreds of people from across the state and country gathered in Raleigh Saturday for the Second Annual Mississippi Gourd Festival.
The event, held at the Smith County Agriculture Complex just off Highway 35, South on Oilfield Road in Raleigh, gave festival goers an opportunity to view and purchase gourd arts and crafts, as well as observe some of the craftsmen and women at work.
They were also given an opportunity to attend classes and make gourd keepsakes of their own.
“We are all about educating people,” said Mike Thompson, who hosted the festival along with his wife, Michelle. “We want people to learn about gourds and how much fun they are.”
Sponsored by the Mississippi Gourd Society (MSGS), the festival offered two days of fun and education for people of all ages. Saturday’s event was held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and today’s activities are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Saturday, Carolyn Dukes of Demopolis, Ala., was among hundreds to gather for the first day of festivities. She said her sister, Linda Morgan of Collinsville, had told her so much about gourd festivals, she had to come.
“This is my first festival and I love it,” said Dukes. “I’m making a broach in the ‘Make and Take’ class and I can take it home with me.”
Morgan said she became interested in gourds after attending a gourd festival in Collinsville about two years ago.
“Now I’m trying to learn everything I can,” said Morgan. “It’s just amazing what they can do with these things.”
Linda Haddler of Clay, Ala., said gourds can be carved, painted, burned and so much more.
“You can make bird houses, floral arrangements, Christmas ornaments, bowls, Indian artifacts, jewelry, dippers, musical instruments and plenty more,” she said.
Ann Coghlan of Philadelphia said the things you can do with gourds are countless. She said gourds were even mentioned in scripture.
“In the story of Jonah, it was a gourd that grew over Jonah to protect him from the heat,” said Coghlan. “I always tell people we are all gourds, in a sense.
“God can take and do so much with us,” said Coghlan, who makes Christian art with gourds. “I love gourds. I enjoy what I do.”
Thompson noted that the objectives of the MSGS is to promote the culture and crafting of gourds, provide informational and educational services to its members, have all members involved in the promotion of gourds and gourd crafting, and provide an annual show for the promotion of gourds, gourd crafting, the sharing of ideas, and general fellowship with other members.
For additional information about the Mississippi Gourd Society, visit the website at www.mississippigourdsociety.org or phone Michelle and Mike Thompson at 601-782-9444 or 601-374-0245.
Local News
Related Photos
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Jason C. Smith was on hand to showcase his hand-made “banzas” at Saturday’s Second Annual Mississippi Gourd Festival in Raleigh. Smith makes the banjo-like musical instruments from gourds. Photos/Charlotte A. Graham
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Flower arrangements, butterflies, bird houses and ornaments of all shapes and sizes were among items displayed at the Saturday’s Mississippi Gourd Festival in Raleigh. Photos/Charlotte A. Graham
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B. B. Thomas of Water Valley examines gourd masterpieces created by Miriam Joy Sagan of Prescott, Ariz. Sagen uses melted Crayola to paint her gourds and varnishes them to seal in the color. Photos/Charlotte A. Graham
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Ken McPhail of Prentiss, demonstrates how he carves trees on gourds of various sizes. Photos/Charlotte A. Graham
Out of their gourd
Hundreds turn out to enjoy 2nd Annual Mississippi Gourd Festival in Raleigh
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