Congratulations to the NC Rhododendron Festival Winners

Bakersville's 63rd Rhododendron Festival was highlighted by one of the most successful weeks in recent memory. The weather, the volunteers, the participants, and visitors were witness to a week of great fun and entertainment.

The Street Festival hosted 60 vendors with entertainment under the direction of Michelle Roberts. There was plenty of food and crafts from jewelry to baskets to inflatables for the kiddies. The Rhododendron Cruisers car show had upwards of 75 automobiles that brought back memories and dreams to hundreds of people. The Duck Race had near 350 ducks that "raced" from the gazebo to the bridge [winners: 1st place,  Barbara Buchanan of Bakersville; 2nd place, Danny Young of Spruce Pine; 3rd place, Tommy Buchanan of Burnsville].

The Rhododendron Pageant Committee crowned two new young ladies to represent Bakersville and Mitchell County for the coming year and sponsored two nights of the street dance. The "big circle going left" reached from the Bakersville Medical Clinic to the Mitchell County Historic Courthouse. Bakersville's Ruritan Club kept everyone refreshed and nourished with food and drink on the warm humid nights. [Post by Sue Ledford]

Senior Division: 2010 NC Rhododendron Queen - Liddy Matthews [$5000 scholarship] 1st Runner-up - Macie Peterson [$1000 scholarship] 2nd Runner-up - Erika Duckworth [$500 scholarship] Congeniality - Macie Peterson Interview - Liddy Matthews Talent - Macie Peterson [$500 O.D. Calhoun scholarship by Gail Robertson Walker, Rhododendron Queen 1962] Swimsuit - Liddy Matthews

Junior division: 2010 NC Junior Rhododendron Queen - Andrea Hall [$1000 scholarship] 1st Runner-up - Kaitlynn Lovelace 2nd Runner-up - Aneil Owens 3rd Runner-up - Cassie Carson 4th Runner-up - Emma Cassel Congeniality - Emily Williams Interview - Kaitlynn Lovelace Talent - Leah Blackburn