Last year the Laurel Hill community sponsored festival known as Laurel Fest drew nearly 7000 people. Laurel Fest Committee Chairman Charlie Fipps expects as many as 10000 could attend this year, as the free admission event is one of the few affordable recreational opportunities for those in the area.

Laurel Fest is scheduled to begin on Friday, May 8, with Gaither-style gospel singing highlighting the evening's festivities, and will continue into Saturday, with "musicians, bands and choral groups performing all day long," according to committee Logistics and Advertising Director Bob Wagner.

Fipps and Wagner have both said that there will be more of everything at this year's festival, including entertainment acts, classic cars and motorcycles on showcase and vendors.

A highlight of the weekend is expected by Wagner to be the parachuting in of paratroopers based out of neighboring Fort Bragg. Those paratroopers will land in one of the baseball fields bordering the festival grounds, bearing the American colors along with a North Carolina flag which has been flown above the state capitol.

Elvis, Tim McGraw and Barney Fife impersonators may also be making appearances at the event, if Fipps has his way. They would be added to the usual fun of inflatable buildings and structures for children to play on which have already been secured for the event.

The festival committee is currently in the process of selecting a resident to be recognized for the Laurel Fest's annual citizen award, aimed at honoring someone who has displayed a devotion to community service.

Currently in the organizational phase of planning, Wagner said that advertisement sales levels are good and that festival planning in general is "right where it should be" at this time.

"We are very glad that businesses and local institutions are responding with this kind of support," commented Wagner.

"The vendors are also coming in at a good rate, and we are getting a lot of requests for booths," added Wagner. According to Wagner, 70 booths are available for vendors, a capacity which is expandable to 100 if needed.

Vendors invited to participate by Wagner are those looking to offer "any kind of street fare."

Money earned by Laurel Fest will go toward the Laurel Hill Community Center's playground facilities, located adjacent to the old Laurel Hill Elementary School site.

Fipps is currently in the process of organizing efforts to see a facility similar to the one located at Laurinburg's Scotland Yard playground established at the community center.

With Scotland Yard as the model, Fipps said "the next step is to take it to the Scotland County Board of Commissioners."

Fipps added that agreements with the local fire department have already been arranged to have them work on building equipment which is bought.

"Proceeds from Laurel Fest and any charitable donations or memorials will be accepted for this work."

Laurel Fest was established to "promoted Laurel Hill as a community with recreational opportunities" and as a safe, friendly place to live, said Wagner.

The Laurel Fest Committee will meet on the first Monday of each month leading up to the festival.

For more information, or to inquire about becoming a festival vendor contact the office of Charlie Fipps at 910-462-3140.