By Allen Hamrick
The 2024 Clay County Golden Delicious Festival is now a part of our history to be remembered. It all got started with some awesome festival weather for the entire event. On Thursday night, people were given the opportunity to watch as the new queens went through their coronation. Afterward, music filled the air as Clay’s finest singers went head to head in the open mic night. Smoke from barbecue pits filled the air and made a person’s stomach swell just from the awesome smell of pulled pork sandwiches and chicken along with some new food trucks that brought in the culture. If your taste buds weren’t satisfied, you better get your tongue checked. Color sprang into action at the Clay Health Department as the quilt show opened to display some of the best talent in stitchery.
Friday was a great time to get reacquainted with friends, enjoy a cup of coffee and chase it with whatever your taste buds desired. Students from the two remaining elementary schools, Big Otter and Clay, and CCMS took the stage with some of the finest young voices in the county as it was time for the battle of the choirs. It was a great day to just settle down, get with friends and neighbors and enjoy classic festival entertainment. The new Apple Belle was crowned as Linda Love Williams accepted the crown as the 2024 Golden Delicious Belle. Music hit the stage around 4:00 and didn’t stop until late in the night when Jebediah, Michael Rucker, Marissa Truman and Josh Pantry performed right up to the closing of the doors on the festival for Friday night.
Then came Saturday; a wonderful day to have a festival. A few clouds threatened late in the day, but all was well. Pies and cakes filled the tables as judging began in earnest – each pie hand made with a touch of love and the baker’s special ingredients. People came from all over to fill the streets, and music once again sounded throughout town. The parade commenced about 1:30, and the streets were lined with hundreds of people, young and old, as the sirens began to blow. Candy was flung on streets like confetti, and both kids and adults enjoyed the challenge of getting it first. Queens and princesses were dressed in their finest, rode on the finest carriages money could buy and went through town waving to the subjects. The CCHS band marched in the parade playing some cool band tunes as smiles touched ear lobes. It wouldn’t be a parade without the music of the drums.
From politicians and tractors to tow trucks and fire engines, the parade was a good one. Once the parade was over, it was time for skillet flinging and corn hole. The Hall of Fame induction was held as some of the finest athletes and coaches to come out of CCHS were remembered. Local talent hit the stage before the much acclaimed group Diamond Rio brought thousands of ears the sweet harmony of their award winning tunes that they have been known for over 30 years. There weren’t any parking spaces to be had unless you could turn your car on its end. They are one of the best groups to ever visit our festival – they didn’t just come and play and want spoon fed on their pedestal. Instead, they interacted with the crowd throughout the day and became part of the festival as fans became friends.
Sunday was the final day as the Elk River Rail Trail 5K and Marathon and gospel music messages sponsored by Fairview Baptist Church were the last events until next year. The Elk River Rail Trail 5K and Marathon started off at the Dundon trailhead. With the limited parking space due to the new rail car business, buses were provided as shuttles from CCHS to Dundon. Approximately 250 entrants from 19 states participated in the event, and it went off without a hitch. The lack of parking and necessary shuttling did cause a delay of approximately 30 minutes, but Clay County folks know how to adapt, improvise and overcome the obstacles from outside that threaten to hold us back. Nathan McKee won the half marathon with a time of 1:32:12.91. The female winner was Laura King with a time 1:33:02:.11. Joshua Lapetoda took home the trophy in the 5K run and walk with a time of 19:11:81. Local running legend Marissa Atha took home first place in the female division with a time of 22:06:36.
The end of the festival brings in the idea that snow is just around the corner. It has been a good festival, and 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. Many, many thanks go out to all those that sponsored the events; without them, their love of home and their generosity, the quality of entertainment and all that goes on could not be achieved. 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. The continuation of the Clay County Golden Delicious Festival ensures the opportunity to get together with friends, enjoy music, and eat great food – definitely something to look forward to.
