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Several thousand people visited the eighth annual festival on Friday and Saturday.
The event had a smaller draw than usual, but otherwise went well, according to Connie Coleman, chairman of the vendor committee and member of the executive committee for LaurelFest.
"I think the festival went very well," Coleman said. "We had good attendance. We were down a little bit from last year, but I think everyone had a good time."
The drop was noticeable, but not very significant, she said. She blamed the recession for dampening attendance as thunderstorms held off until after the event.
"I think the economy had a lot to do with it," she said. Still, "we had a steady crowd all day."
Those who did attend found plenty to do, buy and eat, she said.
"We had more paid entertainment than we had in the past," she said.
There was more variety in the selection this year than in the past.
Headlining the performances was Jim Harris, a Tim McGraw look-a-like who sang many of the country star's top hits. Harris not only impressed Laurel Hill with his resemblance to the grammy-winning artist, he is also set to go on tour with a Faith Hill look-a-like after the pair won a contest.
Another performer was Charly Lowry, an American Idol semifinalist from Pembroke.
It wasn't the performances that highlighted the day for Coleman, though – it was the Little Miss Pageant.
"I enjoyed the Little Miss," Coleman said. "I thought it was super to watch a four-year-old to crown a three-year-old. I like to watch all the little girls as they parade across the stage."
Coleman also enjoys watching the parents as they often seem more excited than the children.
"I enjoyed the Little Miss," Coleman said. "I thought it was super to watch a four-year-old to crown a three-year-old. I like to watch all the little girls as they parade across the stage."
Coleman also enjoys watching the parents as they often seem more excited than the children.
One of the 45 vendors at the event attributed Coleman's kindness to their attendance.
Nancy Ward described the organizer as the "sweetest woman," recalling a prior visit where Ward and her husband, J.P., slept in their van.
Coleman visited them several times throughout the night as the temperatures were already high, Ward said. Coleman brought them a fan and pizza overnight, which has made the couple perennial participants in the event.
The couple drives up from their home near Ocala, Fla., every year to sell jewelry.
Coleman thanked those who attended for coming to the festival, saying that people should support their local events as they take so much effort to put on.
"We hope to add some new things next year," Coleman said. "We are looking at possibilities of adding new things just to draw interest. I'm not sure exactly what it's going to be."
She invited community members to help the festival grow for next year.
"We would love to have help with the festival, so if anyone would like to volunteer to help plan it, they can give me or Charlie Fipps a call."
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