A sign for the upcoming Seaboard Festival hangs outside Main Street Cafe in Hamlet. The scaffolding sits alone while the cafe is open because improvements to the building are being done after hours.
Setup for the festival will begin at 5:30 a.m. and the 5k race will begin at 8 a.m. which will be police conducted, starting at Calvary Baptist Church, located at 406 McDonald Ave. in Hamlet prior to the opening of the ceremony. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In 2009, the City of Hamlet led the way with the renovation process in downtown Hamlet with the hope that private business owners would follow suit.
According to Mayor Jeff Smart, the City of Hamlet placed new benches, new lighting and electrical outlets, new flower pots, new flags, and repaired sidewalks on Main Street, Hamlet Avenue and Front Street in the downtown area.
“As expected, the majority of the business owners have followed suit with their own renovations,” he said.
Upgrades are in progress on the Main Street Central Hotel, Main Street Cafe and Birmingham Drug store.
Ron Mayo, owner of Main Street Cafe said that they want to improve the appearance of their building.
“We wanted to join in and make Main Street more presentable,” he said.
Smart said that in addition to renovations, Hamlet has new business owners in the downtown area.
“It is very exciting to see all of the work that is going on right now,” he said. “The private business owners have definitely taken this to a new level at their expense. New paint, new awnings, new construction, new business - it is wonderful to see that downtown Hamlet is alive and well. Hopefully, this trend will continue from both the public and private sector.”
Finished renovation jobs include Mabry’s Drug Store and the old Williamson building.
With the improvements, Smart said that once again the City of Hamlet is excited to host the annual event.
“As usual, we are expecting lots of people on Main Street in downtown Hamlet,” he said. “The Seaboard Festival Committee continues to do a great job in preparing for the event. It is always a great venue to see all the local people as well as many visitors that come back to the area for this special occasion.”
Alisa Player, 13 will sing the National Anthem and all of the festival board members will be recognized.
Two stages will be used for entertainment as visitors take in the festival sights.
Seaboard Festival President Nancy Averitte advised that no pets, golf carts, skateboarding or wheelies on the streets during the festival.
For those interested in entering a car in the show, registration is $20 for one car and a second car would be $10.
Interested individuals must preregister for the 5k race and need to contact Mark Long at (910) 582-7855.
The conductors call contest will begin at 2 p.m. and prizes will be given.
Vendors will line the streets of Hamlet showcasing their talents with pottery, crafts, quilting, weaving, metal making, embroidery, wood carving, flint knapping, soap makers, caricature and a blacksmith. Demonstrations will be available as well and T-shirts will be available for sale as well.
For more information on the festival contact Amy Guinn at (910) 331-4312 or Nancy Averitte at (910) 582-0795.
Staff Writer Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19, or by e-mail at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com
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