By Betty Gandee

This past week in Clay you could see the carnival rides and craft and food vendors making their way into town to set up for the annual Clay County Golden Delicious Festival.  The festival kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 19, with the queen’s coronation at the courthouse square, followed by the first responders parade and karaoke.

Friday’s events started off at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Lion’s club and the sound of local elementary school students performing various songs could be heard as you drove through town.  Big Otter, H.E. White, Lizemore, and Clay Elementary students hit the stage to entertain festival goers. The Apple Belle Ceremony, introducing your 2019 Apple Belle Queen Nancy Murphy, started off the afternoon with amusement rides opening then as well.  Local school bands played as the evening continued and the evening concerts consisted of Bill Triplett, Ashton Shepherd, and Mikelle Buck.

Saturday was full of excitement with the puppy pageant, baking contest, and of course the Grand Feature parade with numerous floats, vintage cars, organizations, and bands marching down the streets of Clay tossing candy and goodies for the children anxiously waiting on the sides of the road.  Music by Zack Dobbin, Taylor Samples, Marketa and William Lake, Lindsay Schoolcraft, and Confederate Railroad filled the evening as the festivities came to an end.  Fireworks finished the night at 10 p.m. putting a wrap on the 2019 Clay County Golden Delicious Festival.