Norris Winter Festival brings out a big crowd, smiles
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Members of the Norris Bits and Pieces Quilt Guild run their stand during the Norris Winter Festival last Saturday. They are, from left, Mary Ann Toennisson, Debi Hill, Lisa Mackay, Debbie Grinder, and Della Suttle. - G. Chambers Williams III
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Alexis Bean helps customers Marleah and Kellen Thurman and their dog Piper at the 7 Bridges Soap display at last Saturday’s Norris Winter Festival in the Lions pavilion. - G. Chambers Williams III
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Sandy Beard takes a break with his dog, Malia, during last weekend’s Norris Winton Festival in front of Norris Middle School. - G. Chambers Williams III
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Visitors enter the Village during last Saturday’s Norris Winter Festival in the downtown area. - G. Chambers Williams III
Saturday’s chilly weather seemed to have no negative effects on turnout for this year’s third-annual Norris Winter Festival, which drew what some city officials believed to be a record crowd for the event.
“We had a great crowd,” said festival organizer Kim de Ropp. “It was a beautiful, magical day.”
The festival featured music, crafts, local artisans, and more. At least 40 vendors were on hand, most of them in the Norris Lions Community Pavilion in the “Village” area behind the post office.
This event provided local entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell food, crafts, books, and more for gift-giving and personal enjoyment, according to its promoters.
The opening ceremony began at 1 p.m. on the stage in front of Norris Middle School, with a reading of the Christmas story by the Rev. David Seibers.
That was followed by an afternoon of live music from the same stage, along with activities on the lawn in front of the middle school and in the pavilion, next to the stage.
There were hay-wagon rides for the first time this year.
This year’s festival sponsors included the Norris Woman’s Club, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Anderson Crossing Pharmacy, Ace Hardware of Clinton, and the ORNL Federal Credit Union.
