Goat revival for 2021 Yam Festival’s big day Saturday
Didn’t get our goat! Look for a recreation of an iconic 1954 Carolinas Yam Festival parade entry in the 2021 Yam Festival Parade this Saturday. Lucky the goat will be escorted by owner Artie Morace and Yam Fest Mascot Tiger Lovette. (Deuce Niven, TLT)
By DEUCE NIVEN
tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com
A legend from the 1954 Yam Festival in Tabor City, one marred but not completely destroyed by Hurricane Hazel, returns for 2021.
More than a half century later, we’re pretty sure it’s not the same goat, with a lifespan that rarely tops 18 years, alifeofheritage.com and other online sources say.
Still, look forward to an attempt to recreate the iconic event using the materials at hand, including a goat no loan from Artie Morace and an old red wagon, all procured by Yam Festival Mascot Curtis “Tiger Tater” Lovette.
Yam Festivals have never been one-day events, at least not in the modern era, and this year’s celebration is no different with plenty of events already behind us.
That includes Saturday’s Yam Festival pageant, a special celebration with 2019 royalty pressed into an extra year’s service after the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellation of the pageant last year.
Yam Festival tabloid section is in this week’s Tabor-Loris Tribune, in print and online.
Look for those winners, and much more about this year’s festival, in the 24-page tabloid inside this week’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.
Sweet Potato Quality Contest judging was Monday, the annual Cook-Off on Tuesday, and poetry contest winners were revealed earlier in the week. Those winners may be found on Page 3 in this week’s Tabor-Loris Tribune, in print and online.
A street dance at the Town Gazebo in front of the Tabor City Public Library is set from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and will feature a DJ, while the festival’s big day is Saturday with a 10 a.m. parade, entertainment, and some 100 craft and food vendors expected.
