Discovering North Carolina
Sanford Pottery Festival Highlights Attractions in Lee County
The Arts Lead Sanford to Create a Series of Related Events That Promote the CommunityApril 2010
Fifteen thousand residents of Wake County have traveled to nearby Lee County to visit the Sanford Pottery Festival (SPF) in May over the last few years. Event organizers call that a good start, even as they work hard to add more attractions designed to draw greater crowds from all over the Triangle and beyond.
North Carolina is famous nationally for its pottery. When it was first held in 2002, the Sanford Pottery Festival became the largest such event in a state that loves its pottery traditions.
The Sanford Pottery Festival is always held on the weekend before Mother’s Day, just as the famous Seagrove Pottery Festival in Seagrove, NC is held on the weekend before Thanksgiving. The two festivals are considered sister events and work closely together.
"Our goal is to present the public with the best selection of North Carolina pottery in one convenient place during the year," said Don Hudson, a local potter and the creator of the Sanford Pottery Festival. The festival gives Sanford bragging rights as the larger of the two, as well as the opportunity to showcase the Lee County community far and wide.
"Wherever I go in North Carolina, people always seem to know about our pottery festival," according to Bob Heuts, head of the Lee County Economic Development Corporation. "It raises the visibility of our community in a significant and positive way."
Community leaders in Sanford believe that location sets their community apart.
"Well Centered" is the theme of a branding campaign developed by Lee County Second Century to publicize the fact that Sanford is located in the heart of North Carolina. It is surrounded on all sides by large and affluent communities and is connected everywhere by excellent roads, railroads and a modern regional airport.
Rich, local pottery traditions combined with location, contributed to Sanford hosting such a successful regional event. "We’ve got plenty of paved parking. Plus, it is easier to get to Sanford and take in an event here than it is for some people living in nearby cities to travel to parts of Raleigh, Durham or Chapel Hill," Hudson explained. "Besides, when visitors get here, they tend to like to look around."
In 2009, the Sanford Pottery Festival added a wine tasting component, "A Celebration of N.C. Wines." A total of ten vineyards participated. The response was so great that festival organizers are doubling the size of the venue for 2010.
"The Wine Tasting this year will be much bigger and better than it was in 2009. By 2012, we intend to produce ‘The North State Wine Festival’ as a separate and related event to be held in the large field next door to the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center where the SPF is held," said Dave Nestor, local realtor, developer and go-to man for the wine tasting.
The Sanford Festival gives value for money. The attendance fee remains at $5 per person. Those 21 and over who wish to attend the Wine Tasting can do so for an additional $10. Individuals will receive a free wine glass. After sampling, guests can purchase wine by the glass, bottle or case from a rich selection of various North Carolina vintners.
To solidify the popularity of the Wine Tasting this year, when two people purchase admission to the Wine Tent, there will be no charge to get into the Pottery Festival.
Six North Carolina chocolatiers will be included in the upcoming Sanford Pottery Festival and all will be found in the lobby of the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. The specialty chocolate booths are expected to establish the foundation upon which festival organizers will produce a separate "Chocolate and Gourmet Festival" in future years. It will fill the large gymnasium of Central Carolina Community College that is located just across the street from the original pottery festival.
"We have so many possible locations to develop a series of related events to be held in Sanford on the same weekend that present plans call for adding a festival built around barbecue and antiques as well as wine, chocolate and gourmet food," Jason Howard said. Howard is an Electrical Contractor in Sanford and the Logistics Director of the SPF.
With a series of related events on the same weekend, organizers believe they will eventually bring at least 50,000 visitors to town at one time and increase tourism to Lee County throughout the year.
Fast Facts, Sanford Pottery Festival
- May 1 & 2, 2010 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center in Sanford. Saturday: 9am-5pm and Sunday: 10am-4pm.
- Admission to Pottery Festival: $5. Children 14 and under admitted free. Admission to "A Celebration of N.C. Wines," $10 more. Pay at gate.
- Two people who purchase passes to the Wine Tent at the gate will be admitted to the pottery festival free.
- A large selection of food is available on site at the festival. Otherwise, Sanford has an extraordinary number of restaurants for its size.
For complete information visit sanfordpottery.org.
Other Things to See and Do in Sanford/Lee County
TEMPLE THEATRE: South Pacific by Rodgers & Hammerstein, through May 16. "South Pacific has captivated audiences since its original Broadway opening in 1949. It is generally considered to be one of the greatest musicals of all time." Temple Theatre is located in Historic Downtown Sanford. Visit templeshows.com for show times, tickets and admission.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SANFORD: Sanford’s railroad history is seen in Depot Park, the crown jewel of Historic Downtown Sanford. In addition you will find antique shops and restaurants all within walking distance. Visitors enjoy the sort of buildings one expects to see in "The Brick Capital of the USA." downtownsanford.com.
DEEP RIVER SPORTING CLAYS AND SHOOTING SCHOOL: DeepRiver.net
PLACES TO STAY AND EAT: Details are readily available on the web site of the Sanford Chamber of Commerce: sanford-nc.com.