Up & Coming Weekly

OCTOBER 21-27, 2009 UCW 21 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM A growing tradition since 2000, Hope Mills has created a hometown favor- ite in The Ole Mill Days Festival. Kenny Bullock, pro- gram director for Hope Mills Parks and Recreation, says the festival was originally in- tended for children as a safe alternative to Halloween. Over time the festival's focus shifted to celebrating the his- tory and heritage of Hope Mills and was re-named Ole Mill Days. This year's festi- val will take place Sat. Oct. 24 from 12 - 6 p.m. at Hope Mills Municipal Parks fields one and two. The festival will kick off with opening ceremonies featuring a per- formance of the National Anthem and an appearance by the Mayor. There will be more than 30 differ- ent vendors, including Bold and Beautiful and Big T's, bringing various crafts, goods and foods. There will be live entertainment with singer Jeanette McClain scheduled to perform. Other artists will also be in attendance with CD's for the public including an all girl band that does a pretty impressive Michael Jackson cover. "If you really listen to it you would think it was Michael Jackson singing," Bullock shared. WKML will also be broadcasting live from the event, so the day will be filled with good music as well as good food and fun. For those who enjoy a little competition, there will be plenty of contests as well. A Zaxby's sponsored hot wing eating contest will take place, as well as a pumpkin carving and parent/child look-a-like costume contest. Other events include a cheerleading exhibition showcasing recreation teams and squads from local schools, and a haunted house sponsored by the South View High School Key Club which opens at 6 p.m. Admission for the haunted house is $2 and all proceeds will go to the Key Club. Though all of the events at the festival are sure to be crowd pleasers, the Tractor Pull and Chilli Cook-Off are arguably the high-lights of the day. The Tractor Pull will begin at 12:30 p.m. and run until 5p.m. Bullock says tractors are brought in from as far north as Virginia. "It's a big event...we've had it the last three years and it's grown every year." This year, the Chilli Cook off is sponsored by the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with local radio station WKML. Started more than four years ago, the Chilli Cook - off has gained more notoriety each year since it's inclusion in Ole Mill Days. "It's grown tremendously", says Cook-off Chairman Mark Wonderly, "We have quite a large sponsorship this time and since WKML got involved it's re- ally grown." The Cook-off is divided into two categories, hot and mild, with three cash prizes in each. Third place winners receive the "Plastic Spoon" prize of $25, second place winners will receive the "Wooden Spoon" prize of $50, and the grand prize of $100 goes to the "Silver Spoon" winner. There will also be an additional $100 prize awarded to the "People's Choice." Judging and tast- ing will be conducted in the WKML-HMCC tent. All submissions are due to the tent by 10 a.m. Voting and tasting will take place throughout the day and the winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. In addition to the Chilli Cook-off, the Chamber of Commerce will also sponsor a raffle and bake-sale. For more information or details about the Chilli Cook Off or any of the other events sponsored by the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce please call 423-4314 or visit www.hopemillschamber.com and click on the Chilli Cook-off link. For all inquiries regarding the Ole Mill Days Festival contact Hope Mills Parks and Recreation at 910-426-4107. Hope Mills Celebrates Heritage with Ole Mill Days Festival by TAKEEMA HOFFMAN ERNESTO J.F. GRAHAM, M.D., F.A.C.O.G Obstetrics & Gynecology Come see us by appointment at: 2ZHQ3DUN/DQH)D\HWWHYLOOH1& 7HO Offering Same Day (outpatient) Hysterectomy and In Office Essure Tubal Ligation O H E Use your vacation for vacation ent) e OTHER SERVICES: &ROSRVFRS\DQG3DS6PHDU3HOYLF6XUJHU\ 0HQVWUXDO'LVRUGHUVDQG)LEURLGV +LJKDQG/RZ5Lsk Prenatal Care Tricare and most Insurance plans accepted Relax...Revive...Recoupe On the Shore! Use your vacation for vacation 7HO Jenny Capps and Kenny Bullock of Hope Mills Parks and Recreation TAKEEMA HOFFMAN, Contributing Writer COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com

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