Andrews – Main Street was filled with happy people hugging and laughing together Saturday, as more than 40 vendors selling everything from homemade jams to self-defense weapons set up their booths. For one thing, the weather cooperated, providing a bright sunny day for the third annual Oktoberfest.
But for another, cheerful friendliness seems to be the code of behavior in Andrews. Local resident Connie Killian came out the festival “to hear Blue play, he’s my favorite musician.” Killian said she loves Andrews, gushing, “I have no blood kin, but I have a huge loving family here. There is no better place to live.”
Jan Olson, the event’s coordinator, sat behind Killian, manning her FernCrest Winery booth and laughing in agreement with Killian’s sentiments. Dressed in a lavish purple dirndl, Olson was happy with the turnout, saying how much fun she was having while tapping her foot to the live music.
Another native, Gaynell Owens, enjoyed the festival with her great granddaughter, Brooklynn Eden. Wearing groovy blue jeans and carrying a vendor bag, Eden said, “I bought a magnet to decorate the wall of my Barbie house,” holding her magnet like a treasure. Eden didn’t much have much time to chat, as she was on a mission to find a hot dog.
Stephanie Crisp and Levander Robinson had already beat her to it. They were on their way to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort from Chattanooga, Tenn., when they stopped at Grandpa Charlie’s and heard about the festival.
“We love these kinds of small-town events,” Crisp said, holding her chili dog with great affection.
Andrews’ neighbors Sheila and David Holloway said, “We can hear the festival music from our house.” They love living in a small town. Sheila said, “You can’t go anywhere without stopping to talk,” while David added, “That is both the blessing and the curse of a small town.”
“Baby’s got bock,” Robert Myer said while drinking a dark brew from Hayesville Brewing Co. He and Gerda Herzog were “just looking for something to do” when they made their way to the Oktoberfest. This wasn’t Myer’s first time attending the event, and they were both having a lot of fun despite Herzog not imbibing.
“I don’t like beer,” she said with a laugh as Myer tipped his cup for another drag. Myer hoped to win the Beer Stein Holding Contest but wasn’t sure his performance would be sharp enough to win as he nodded to his now nearly empty cup with a smile.
Among the beer and wine vendors, Aron Wehr and Ted Dunham had a smart looking setup with a bar in front of their Wehrloom Honey and Meadery van. All of their meads are infused with honey with Wehr saying, “It’s our twist on traditional mead which is less sweet.”
They harvest and sell honey as well, but brush off the dangers of bee stings as “just part of the process.” Dunham said, “The bees are interesting to watch,” with Wehr laughing, “It’s just sweet.”
The libation vendors weren’t the only ones lighthearted and enjoying the festival. Danica O’Neal sat in a tidy booth full of canned jams called Hillbilly D’lights. O’Neal has participated in all of Andrews’ Oktoberfest events, saying, “I love this small town; everyone is so friendly.”
Despite her pink hair and lively personality, one vendor wasn’t selling traditional wares found at such festivities. JoAnne Suter’s booth, Damsel in Defense, displayed self-defense tools including the Road Trip Flashlight, which is equipped to cut through a seat belt, smash open a car window, provide a strobe light and scream out a 120 decibel alarm for under $30. Suter has dedicated her life to teaching women self-defense.
“The purposed of Damsel in Defense is to educate, empower and equip women to feel safe in the world,” she said. Proceeds from her efforts go to two sex trafficking safe houses for children in India. “I want women to feel protected and to lower the stats of women and children who are abducted and abused.”
Across from Suter’s booth, two happy people sat behind their counter at the Balsam Falls Brewery of Sylva booth. Laurie and Cory Bryson loved beer so much that Cory became a certified beer judge. He pointed to his favorite brew from their Balsam brewery.
“This is called the Oktoberfest. In German it’s called Urmemsh meaning something like ‘caveman,’ ” he said proudly, with a laugh.
Laurie likes their pumpkin cider, but they both agree on their love of the business. “This is a family endeavor,” she said, “We hope our kids will take over someday.”
Cindy Gibson pushed her Lhapso Apso, LuLu, in a dog carriage.
“I came to see the crafts and food,” she said, beaming at LuLu. “I’m just happy to be out after all that rain.”
Gibson loves living in Andrews, saying, “I’ve been here 18 years and love the mountains – and that the town is small enough for everyone to say ‘hi’ at the grocery store.”
Diana Sharples, a local author and macrame artist, vended for her first time despite being an Andrews native. She said, “I write books as my job, but I macrame as my hobby.”
She decided to set up her booth this year “to sell some stuff,” then echoed what so many others proclaimed throughout the happy event. “I love this small mountain town.”