This weekend is expected to be a fun time in Thomaston as the annual Pepper Jelly Festival takes place on the grounds of the old Marengo County High School in the community on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The family-friendly event held by the Rural Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization, will have homemade Alabama crafts for sale. Homemade jellies, jams, pies and cakes will also be available for purchase
According to volunteer Carolyn Findley, the event was originally called “Rural Fun Day” for 20 years and held in August, but the summer heat led officials to move the event to the last Saturday in April. Because of the event moving and the abundance of pepper jelly in the gift shop at the Rural Heritage Center, the event was renamed to it’s current title to celebrate local history. The celebration has been in April for at least six years.
Mama Nem’s Pepper Jelly is produced at the Rural Heritage Center by community volunteers and is sold across the nation.
The D&R Restaurant inside the Rural Heritage Center will have food available for lunch, including Thomaston barbeque. Food vendors will have classic favorites such as funnel cakes, pigskins, baked goods, polish sausage dogs and many other items.
Live entertainment will include singer/songwriter Michael Jacobs, making his first appearance on the RHC stage. Other local performers include include Rebecca Boler Vick, GPS Trio, Claudia Peppenhorst and Collin Sheffield.
Other attractions include local and regional artisans demonstrating “Lost Folk Art” such as basket weaving and quilting.
Vendor applications are still available. Contact the Alabama Rural Heritage Center at 334-627-3388 or email ruralher@frontiernet.net.
The RHC gift shop is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.