By Allen Hamrick
The 2025 Clay Golden Delicious Festival is now a part of history. It all started with some awesome weather on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday night, the flag was raised and the festival got underway. The newly crowned queens were ushered through their coronation as friends and family watched. The new parade that is strictly to honor and showcase the area’s finest first responders took place Thursday evening, and afterward, music filled the air. Clay’s finest local talent hit the stage first and then it was time for Tracy Wayne’s open mic night. This event displayed many of the up-and-coming local talents that have some great pipes. Smoke from barbecues filled the air and the smell of pulled pork sandwiches, chicken and such was nearly overwhelming to the senses. If your taste buds were not satisfied, you better get your tongue tested. The quilt show also opened and displayed some of the best talent in stitchery. These Clay County quilters put heart and soul into their art, sometimes requiring months from the first stitch to finish.
Friday started as a fine day to get reacquainted with friends, enjoy a cup of coffee and chase it with some fine food. Big Otter and Clay Elementary choirs took the stage in the morning hours as those in attendance heard some great voices. Francis Sutton was named this year’s Golden Delicious Belle as family and friends gathered to celebrate a well-deserved award given to a lady whose list of accomplishments rival anybody’s. She has not just lived her life in the hills as many do; she is a part of a community and acted in service to others. Mrs. Sutton accepted the crown like a true queen and will hold the title with the utmost class and style. Afterwards, it was time to crank up the speakers and enjoy some fine entertainment for the rest of the evening.
Then came Saturday and some of the most curvaceous bodies rolled into town as the car show got underway at the board office parking lot. It was a wonderful day to have a festival. A few clouds threatened late in the day, but all was well. People came from all over and filled the streets and music once again filled the air. The parade commenced about 1:30, and the streets were lined with hundreds of people as the sirens began to blow. Candy was flung on streets like confetti and kids and adults enjoyed the challenge of getting it first. Queens and princesses were dressed in their finest, rode in the finest carriages money could buy and went through waving to the subjects. The CCHS band marched in the parade and performed well. It just wouldn’t be a parade without the music of the drums. Music was enjoyed the rest of the evening as Aaron Tippin hit the stage with heart pounding and soul stirring music as fans covered the courtyard and listened from the hills in the area. Fireworks were cancelled due to the rain chances, and the festival ended with folks lining the streets to meet Aaron Tippin. Sunday brought gospel music and food to the event, and just like that, the 2025 Clay County Golden Delicious Apple Festival was over.
The end of the festival brings in the idea that frost and snow are just around the corner. It was a good festival with its share of highs and lows, but it absolutely could not go on if not for those behind the scenes getting it ready, setting it up and tearing it down long after the people have gone. To those people, Clay County owes you many thanks because so much of our culture is dying and you take the time to make sure that good times will roll on in Clay County and that the opportunity to get together with friends, enjoy music, and eat great food will be something to look forward to. It isn’t much coming from me, but Clay County is indeed fortunate to have people who are dedicated to preserving our heritage so that we can let our hair down once in a while, keep our sanity and not go mad.
