A new feature entered Cass County's agenda Saturday. Two major festivals were celebrated at the same time at two extreme corners of the county.
Bloomburg's annual people-pleaser - the Cullen Baker Fair - and Avinger's first-class Wine Festival both drew big and pleasant crowds Saturday.
Bloomburg, of course, sits at the northeast corner of the county near the Arkansas line. Avinger is at the other extreme at the southwest edge of the county, not far from the Morris County line.
Both festivals are fundraisers for their respective communities. The Cullen Baker Fair aids the volunteer fire department and the Avinger festival supports art, the town itself and school.
Several thousand attended the Baker fest while probably 1,000 or so came to taste wine from this year's 13 wineries in Avinger.
The Avinger festival changed its annual meeting date. Bloomburg has long held its fair on the first Saturday in November.
If the two continue a simultaneous schedule, you can plan to enjoy both festivals since both are a little alike and a lot different.
Cullen Baker will have 100 or so table vendors and a small-town country atmosphere. Lots of beards, dogs, horses, four-wheelers and friendly faces.
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Mummies, Martinis and Music
A members-only reception was held at the Arkansas Arts Center to enjoy the World of the Pharoahs and the 52nd Annual Delta Exhibition which features artists native of the Mississippi Delta region. The guests also enjoyed "Tut-Tinis" and a live jazz duo.
Avinger offers a passel of quality vendors with tents and motor vans, a garden-like atmosphere in the yard of an historical house, music, art and people eager to engage in quiet conversation.
In other words, going to the two festivals - representing hard work by community-minded supporters for the benefit of their community and neighbors - is simply something one should not miss.
Remember next year. And bring some money along. Its the first Saturday in November.
Cullen Baker goes first with his parade at 10 a.m. Avinger opens its garden gates at about 11 a.m. in time for lunch. Attend both and enjoy driving across Cass County from one corner to the other to see a beautiful county and delightful place to live.