Sunny Weather

On Saturday

Made Depot Street

The Place To Be

By LISA WARREN

Staff Writer

Perfect spring weather on Saturday drew one of the largest gatherings ever on a single day to the 14th annual Iris Festival in downtown Greeneville, organizers say.

However, on Sunday, the weather wasn't as cooperative as a heavy downpour greeted the start of the event's festivities.

But by early afternoon Sunday, the skies had cleared somewhat and a fair crowd of festival goers were drawn out for the final hours of the Greene County Partnership-sponsored event.

No official crowd estimate was given for this year's Iris Festival. However, Tammy Kinser, tourism director for the Greene County Partnership, said she was extremely pleased with the turnout for this year's festival.

"You couldn't have asked for a better day on Saturday," she said. "We were really lucky to have that day."

Kinser said the Iris Festival's vendors were very happy with the turnout and sales on Saturday.

"Depot Street was so thick on Saturday -- I don't see how people moved up through there," Kinser said.

On Sunday afternoon, despite a rainy start, attendance during the afternoon was quite good, Kinser said. She added, "It stopped raining, and we ended up having a pretty decent crowd downtown."

The late afternoon storm that moved through Greeneville later in the day didn't hit until after everyone had basically cleared out, she added.

Many Craftspeople

As is tradition, the Iris Fesitval featured a wide variety of artistians, crafters, merchants and food vendors.

The festival attracted vendors and artists from 13 states, including some from as far away as Texas, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

Among some of the most unique handcrafted items found at the festival was rustic teak wood furniture constructed by Alan and Sharalee Sherman, of Albertville, Ala.

The wood for the furniture comes from the roots of trees in Indonesia, where Mrs. Sherman's father lives.

The furniture, which included benches and tables, is crafted directly from the shape of each piece of wood.

"Each one is different," Mrs. Sherman said.

The teak wood, she added, is also naturally resistant to pests and mildew, making it perfect for use in outdoor furnishings.

The artisic side of the festival also featured numerous other highly unique items from concrete containers made from leaf castings and bottlecap jewelry to tye-dye T-shirts and hammocks constructed from parachute material.

Interesting Booths

Several of the festival booths featured information from various community agenices such as the Greene County Chapter of the American Red Cross and others.

Takoma Regional Hospital was distributing goodie bags and coupons for free blood chemistry profiles that could be redeemed at the hospital's outpatient laboratory. As of Sunday afternoon, more than 1,000 coupons for the free lab services had been presented, hospital officials say.

Catching the attention of plant lovers -- and likely some unsuspecting insects -- at the festival were carnivorous plants, such as the Venus flytrap, from S&J Greens of North Carolina.

And what would an Iris Festival be without iris bulbs and plants for sale? Festival goers had opportunities to purchase many varieties.

Among those going home with an iris plant was Lillian Killen, of Philadelphia, Miss., who was on-hand at the festival with her sister, Helen Blalock, of Clinton, Miss. The two women were in Greeneville visiting Mrs. Blalock's son, Larry, and his family and had decided to enjoy the downtown activities on Saturday afternoon.

Musical entertainment was also a large part of the festivities, including performances by bluegrass and gospel artists during both days of the festival. Entertainers could be found not only at the festival's main stage, but also at the Capitol Theatre.

Ronnie Milsap Performs

On Saturday evening, country music entertainer Ronnie Milsap took the stage at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center to perform before a packed audience.

Milsap gave a strong performance of some of his greatest hits, including "Smoky Mountain Rain," "Lost In the Fifties Tonight" and "Stranger In My House." Following the concert, he greeted fans and signed autographs in the lobby of the NPAC.

Festival goers also enjoyed storytelling, woodcarving, clogging, and a Civil War encampment.

Storytellers Larry and Gayleen Kelley, Kate Agmann and Jan Cribbs were all part of the tale-spinning action, along with newcomer Brian Ricker, who portrayed President Andrew Johnson during two special performances.

Civil War Reenanctors

On the grounds of the Andrew Johnson Home and at the Nathanael Greene Museum, festival goers were given an opportunity on Saturday afternoon to step back in time to the Civil War.

Union soldier reenactors, including Jim "Puddin" Allen, director of the annual Battle of Blue Springs Re-enactment, were on hand to present several lectures and demonstrations about life and times during the Civil War.

Also held during the Iris Festival was the annual EverGreene Woodcarvers Exhibition and Competition at First Presbyterian Church.

Many of the visitors to the Iris Festival were out-of-town guests. Among those were Beverly Penland, Eileen Brown and Judy Marshall, all from Morristown, who on Saturday afternoon were all decked out in their "Red Hat Society" attire and were enjoying the festivities together in downtown Greeneville on Saturday.

The women said that they always enjoy coming to the Iris Festival each year.

"We love the storytelling, vendors and, of course, the food," Penland said. "There's really nothing that we don't like about the Iris Festival."