51st Hope Heritage Days kicks off Friday

The countdown of days leading up to the 51st Annual Hope Heritage Days has begun.

This year’s Heritage Days theme of “Hope Through Time” will kick off at 5 p.m. Friday Sept. 28 and last through 5 p.m. Sunday Sept. 29 on the Hope Town Square.

“I believe it is the biggest event in the county as far as its outsider draw,” says Jake Miller, president of the Hope Chamber of Commerce. “That last full weekend of September is all about Heritage Days.”

Annually drawing tens of thousands of people to Hope over its three day stretch, Hope Heritage Days offers a unique blend of everything from homemade foods and entertainment to crafts made by local artisans.

Heritage Days begins Friday evening with open booths on the square, the WYGS Gospel Sing featuring Gold City at the Hauser High School Gym from 7 to 9 p.m., Hard Tail takes the bandstand stage at 6 p.m. and Oddz R follows at 8:30 p.m.

Chuck Caldwell, vice president of Heritage of Hope and entertainment committee chairman, says bandstand favorite Phil Dirt & the Dozers will return to the bandstand stage at 8 p.m. Saturday.

“They’re a very popular group and we’ve had a lot of requests for them to come back,” Caldwell says.

Hotwired, a well-known local act, will be opening for the band, he adds.

This year’s festivities will also include the return of the Dr. Hope Medicine Show, UTOPIA Wildlife Rehabilitators and the Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull.

Michael Dean, CEO of Heritage of Hope, Inc., says in addition to being hopeful for fall temperatures, he’s looking forward to the return of Heritage Days’ vendors and, of course, the food.

“The festival has gotten bigger and bigger over the years,” Dean says. “The foods inside the square are all prepared by Flatrock Hawcreek township non-registered nonprofit groups. They are the only ones allowed to sell ready-made food.”

Dozens of vendors will outline the perimeter of the square and include many who have participated for 30 years, Dean says.

“There are just certain things you can only get at Heritage Days,” Dean says.

Following tradition, Heritage Days will close out the weekend with its parade starting at 1:30 p.m Sunday. Although there will not be a Vote for Floats contest this year, there will be trophies awarded for a range of categories, according to the Hope Heritage Days web site.

Closing out the weekend’s festivities will be performances by Cotton Patch at 12 p.m. and the Night Owl Country Band at 5 p.m. at the bandstand.

As Caldwell looks ahead to the festival’s kickoff Friday night, he most looks forward to the return of those who have moved away.
Describing the allure of the event as one of reunion rather than novelty, Caldwell says you won’t find any carnival rides or games of chance at this family-friendly festival.

“I relate Heritage Days as a homecoming,” he says. “The best part is being able to see family, friends, and schoolmates who come back for the festival.”