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PLENTY OF NUTTIN'

At first, it seemed like a pretty nutty idea. Could Columbus County’s Whiteville pull off an entire festival based on the little pecan? If any North Carolina county could pull off a festival based on a nut, one that locals call “County of Festivals” seemed ready for the challenge.

Rural Columbus County is currently the host for a Yam Festival, Watermelon Festival, Strawberry Festival, Pine Tree Festival and even a Fire Ant Festival! By the fall of 2002, another festival called the Fall Harvest Festival needed some spice after many successful years. “It had started to lose its fizz and needed some renewed excitement,” recalls festival liaison, Suzanne King.

In early-2003, King was having lunch with several community leaders at Whiteville’s Holiday Restaurant, where they discussed new ideas for the economy and identity of Whiteville. She mentioned to the others that, since there were so many pecan trees in and around Whiteville, perhaps they should do a Pecan Festival. Someone else attending the lunch also said that the North Carolina Pecan Growers Association was looking for a home to promote their product.

King first called Bill Bunn, the president of the North Carolina Growers Association. She inquired as to his interest in making Whiteville the home of the North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival. Bunn said that the board had been looking to hold just such a festival, but didn’t have the money or resources. The offer seemed to have come at just the right time.

King then presented the idea to the existing Harvest Festival committee, including long-time director Sara Thompson, to see if they were willing to merge. All were in agreement so King and Cathy Pierce, a Harvest Festival veteran, then met with the North Carolina Pecan Growers Association board in Mt. Olive. The board went, well, nuts for the idea, and plans for the First Annual North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival got cracking.

Attendance during last year's inaugural festival was estimated to be 10,000-12,000 people. Highlights of the Pecan Harvest Festival include a parade; a Queen’s Luncheon; the presentation of the Pecan Queen, Pecan Belles and Military Cadets; a Celebrity Queen; a house tour; educational exhibits at the North Carolina Museum of Forestry; and a pecan cooking contest.

“It has been a wonderful opportunity for North Carolina pecans and the Pecan Growers Association, says the association’s Bunn. “The festival helps to fulfill the education and promotion aspects of our mission statement. We benefited immeasurably from last’s year’s festival and will bring those experiences to this year’s festival.”

Scheduled for November 5-6, 2004, this year’s festival is sure to draw a record crowd, thanks to lots of return festival fanatics and new visitors who’ve heard about last year’s event. Many of the successful events from 2003 will be repeated and enhanced, but there are also lots of new things planned.

Edward Walker, Whiteville native and currently the designer and host of The Learning Channel’s “Trading Spaces," will be the celebrity guest and parade marshall, and a new Pecan Queen, selected at the Pecan Queen Pageant, will be crowned and receive a $500 scholarship.

Stepping up to the role of Celebrity Pecan Queen will be Shannon Vickery, who is the anchor for the UNC-TV (public broadcasting channel) program “North Carolina Now.”  (In 2003, the celebrity Pecan Queen was Jenny Hammonds-Moranz, a Whiteville native who performs as a Radio City Rockette in New York City, New York.)

Other entertainment for the festival includes the selection of Pecan Belles, eight eighth grade girls who will be escorted by eight cadets from Camden Military Academy in Camden, South Carolina; the Queen’s Luncheon, which will be held Friday, November 5, at the Baldwin-White House in Whiteville, where 14 large pecan trees dot the landscape.  The luncheon is a Southern-style affair with all the fixings (expect lots of pecan pies!)  After the luncheon, six or more historic houses are open for tours. A Pecan Belle and her escort are stationed at each house to greet guests

Last year, there were 135 entries in the Pecan Cooking Contest, and at least that many expected for this year.  Entries can range from “meats to sweets,” and anything made with pecans can be entered into the contest.  After judging, visitors should leave room for the pecan tart eating contest.

On Saturday, November 6, the pecan parade kicks off at 10:00 a.m.; 5k and 8k races will be open to all ages and skill levels , and the the Holiday Band and SeaCruz will be playing popular beach music favorites throughout the day.

According to the North Carolina Pecan Growers Association, the state produces three to five million pounds of pecans annually.  In Whiteville, the prized nut gets its due. 

2003 Grand Prize Winner in Pecan Cooking Contest
Baked Ham with Pecan Raisin Sauce

1 large slice picnic ham
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 T. cornstarch
1/2 cup water
2 T. white vinegar
1/8 t. salt
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup pecans
2 T. orange juice
1 T. butter or margarine

Bake ham slice at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Combine brown sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan, stirring well. Add pecans, raisins, and remaining ingredients. Cook uncovered over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring often. Serve over ham. Sauce yields 1 cup. Preparation time, 1 minutes. Cooking time, 45 minutes.

Cheryl Fowler, Tabor City