Seventy years after its founding, the North Carolina Gourd Society
proudly presents the 66th Annual Gourd Arts and Crafts Festival in the Triangle
area of North Carolina. After many years at the Cary Community Center, we out-grew
the space so much that we moved to a new location for our Festival in 2000 and
now we've had to move again in 2003 because we have grown so large and interest
in this strange vegetable is so great. Next we moved to the Dorton Arena and
will change location this year to the Kerr Scott Building. Our new facility
boasts excellent handicapped access and airconditioning! The Scott Building
is located on the North Carolina State Fair Grounds and has many
other events going on there that weekend.
Click on the following choices to view maps to the NC State Fair: larger
view area map and smaller
view area map. Click here
to view a map of the fair ground buildings and gates with the surrounding
roads. All gourd events will be held in the Kerr Scott Building
near the Flea Market area.
Times for the Gourd Festival will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission will be $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and children under 12 at the door. Since we are 501(c)3 non-profit organizationm we charge these admission fees only so that we can pay for the rental of the building and the insurance for its use. Additional donations can be made and, upon request, you will receive the appropriate tax-deductable letter from the North Carolina Gourd Society for use in filing your taxes.
There will be 80
competition categories for gourd growers and crafters, including categories
for children, crafters and true gourd artists plus a special category for
creating a complete display of gourd art, growing or historical uses of gourds
to showcase your gourd-related skills.
This year's Gourd Festival will include special gourd craft workshops
held from September 9-10, 2006. These workshops will be on a variety of topics
and will be presented by premier gourd artisians. This is a unique opportunity
to learn from the country's finest gourd artists. Space is limited to ensure
a fabulous learning experience, so send your application in early!
At this celebration of the venerable cousin of squash, see gourds from around the world and from our own backyards. You can see gourds no longer than your thumb, gourds taller than a man and giants to challenge a weightlifter. Historic gourds and exotic gourds will show how this garden oddity has served in our households since before history. Meet crafters and growers and learn how to turn a moldy gourd straight from the garden into an object of lasting beauty. On sale will be gourds, gourd craft and seeds.
Meet gourd crafters. Learn how to prepare gourds for craft. Painters, carvers, engravers, sculptors, jewelry makers, all working with gourds, bring gourdcraft of all kinds to display and sell.
Each year our Fall Quarterly meeting is held banquet-style on the Saturday
evening of our Festival. This dinner meeting is by reservation only and features
a silent auction and door prizes. Please send your check for $15.00 per person
to the North Carolina Gourd Society at 259 Fletcher Avenue, Fuquay-Varina,
NC 27526-9801 or call (919) 557-5946 for more information. Seating is limited
to 70, so be sure to send your checks in early. DEADLINE FOR DINNER IS AUGUST
5, 2007!!!!
Items donated for the silent auction and for door prizes are tax deductable
and funds raised will be used to hold future gourd festivals as well as provide
the free kids' table supplies during the festival. Your generosity is always
greatly appreciated and the North Carolina Gourd Society's 501(c)3 status
allows us to provide the letter for your tax records for your donation.
