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Andrews – The seventh annual Andrews Spring Fling on Saturday kicked off Cherokee County’s 2025 event season in style.
The Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s signature event was overseen by new Executive Director Shannan Kelly and events coordinator Alaina Trull. They were shuttling around town on golf carts, making sure every station around town had its needs met while maintaining their collective cool during times of sun and humidity.
Trull, in a safety yellow shirt, was seen making strides towards all portions of the First and Main streets, walkie-talkie in hand, doling out directions and advice for those in need.
Kelly, in her signature hat, was wheeling to and fro, checking on sound equipment and vendor needs as well as saying, “We’re busy and running, but we hope it’s great for everyone.”
While many people thought the event would be rained out – and to that end the pair posted a rain date of Sunday, just in case – the day started with the last tinge of Dogwood Winter into bouts of sun and cool breezes blowing down Main Street. However, word on the street was that it was a resounding success by all accounts for both vendors and visitors alike.
The Andrews Board of Aldermen approved a Social District ordinance Thursday. However, that still needs to be approved by the N.C. Alcohol Beverage Commission, which will hopefully do so by the chamber’s monthly Food Truck Fridays, which begin on the last weekend in May.
In a nod to Food Truck Fridays, moving both the music and food truck vendors to the Hall Park gazebo and First Street, respectively, helped set the stage so to speak for this year’s future events in downtown.
Among the vendors this year were both civic organizations – such as the Andrews Garden Club, Lions Club and Rotary Club of Murphy – as well as many local artisans and crafters as well as local businesses including Steven Aft State Farm Insurance.
The Andrews Public Library hosted an author’s book signing as well as leather-working crafts and a plant and book sale to benefit the Friends of the Library.
The Tattered Tartan Pub celebrated their one year anniversary of opening their gift shop, The Tattered Tartan Trading Post and several businesses along Main and Locust streets, including Homespun Hobbies, enjoyed the influx of both newcomers as well as regular patrons during the festival.
The daylong festival got its start Friday evening with the Sundown band playing a set at Hall Park to christen the festival.
Local musical act Full Circle opened Saturday’s events with its mix of 1990s covers to a crowd who sought both sun and shade in the early morning. They also helped fill in for a last-minute cancellation as the band Brother, who had been slated to play at 1 p.m., had to bow out unexpectedly due to a family emergency.
With professional aplomb, Full Circle played an extra hour and a half and the last featured band, Sugah and Thuh Cubes, came on early to help fill the musical gaps.
Sugah and Thuh Cubes also ended their afternoon with a meal and some fellowship at The Tattered Tartan. Band members said they couldn’t wait until they could play in Andrews again.
The fifth annual Doxie Derby again saw Allison Ralph’s diminutive dogs take the prize in two heats with a total of seven entrants. Megan Wooten’s “Dash” made his Doxie Derby debut at only 16 weeks old, even though he veered off the straight track a bit. Wooten said she’s got “364 days to train him,” and she will definitely be back to compete next year. Former chamber director Nola Cooper provided the finish line judging, saying this was indeed her time to enjoy a beloved event from the perspective of both field and street-level onlooker and partaker.
To cool themselves after their fundraising Color Run, the Andrews High School volleyball team held a Dunking Booth fundraiser to augment their earlier event. Josiah Sneed and Riley Thompson helped wrangle prospective pitchers from Main Street’s droves of strollers to become dunkers as Azlyn DeHart happily volunteered as the dunkee to help wash off those colors.
In another highly anticipated move, the Andrews Young Entrepreneur Market was featured on what was formerly the stage and food truck area in the old A&P parking lot. Kelly said they were glad to help expand the reach of young people into the festival and looks forward to showcasing them again.
Preliminary numbers for attendance were not available by the Cherokee Scout’s press time Tuesday.
Details: See visitandrewsnc.com.