A sweet partnership

What happens when a Chamber of Commerce partners with local farmers?

You get the Bailey Sweet Potato Festival, an event that brought together business and the community to celebrate the state’s top vegetable.

The boys and I went to the event, which is in its second year. Held downtown, the day was full of things to do. We saw the classic car and truck and vintage tractor show before we’d even parked. Walking down the street, we wandered through the local business and craft booths, stopping to chat with a few vendors I knew. We even picked up a bucket of strawberries from Rob’s Fresh Produce to take home.

There were plenty of food trucks to choose from. Even better, there was a chicken wing cook-off, and tickets were selling. The boys played in the kids’ area, meeting up with friends from school.

The radio station was keeping the crowd going, before the DJ and bands took over later in the evening. Even the local fire department joined in, setting up activities for the kids and showing off their antique fire truck. My youngest would have put out the “fire” all night if I’d let him.

Of course, the event was the celebrate sweet potatoes and they were on full display. Spencer Sweet Potato made an appearance and was probably the most photographed tater of the day. There was a recipe contest, with the Harvest Sweet Potato Chicken Casserole awarded grand prize. Farmers mingled in the crowd and many folks sported their event t-shirts.

Bailey is in Nash County, which is one of the top five sweet potato-producing counties in North Carolina. Overall, our state’s farmers grow over 60% of the United States sweet potato crop. So, there is plenty of cause for celebration in the community.

Like many small towns, Bailey is working to revitalize their downtown. One of the Bailey Chamber of Commerce’s goals is to bring together local businesses with the community to promote community growth. Events like this one highlight local businesses, local farmers, and give people a family-friendly place to go and have a sweet time.