The 16th Annual Jones County Heritage Festival began on Friday, September 27, 2025, with a lively concert featuring The Embers ft. Craig Woolard as the headliner and Zack Lee Music as the opening act. Starting at 7:00 p.m., Zack Lee and his band got the crowd moving with a mix of original country songs and popular favorites. Guests could relax at tables or dance on the floor to show off their best shag moves.
Concessions, including hot dogs, chips, popcorn, sodas, and beer, kept everyone refreshed. Many attendees enjoyed catching up with friends and neighbors, while others danced the night away.
The Embers took the stage at 8:00 p.m. and played favorite songs until 10:00 p.m. In a memorable moment, Craig Woolard stepped off the stage to sing to guests, drawing cheers from the crowd. The concert set the tone for a weekend full of music, fun, and community celebration.
Saturday, September 28, 2025, was special because the parade returned for the first time since 2013. Starting at 9:00 a.m., the parade went from Trenton Piggly Wiggly to the Jones County Board of Education. Forty-five groups joined, including floats, local organizations, and classic vehicles.
Even though it rained a little in the morning, people lined the streets to watch and cheer. The crowd showed how excited the community was to see this festival tradition return. Some of the Danny Heath Memorial Car Show contestants drove their vehicles in the parade and made their way straight down to the Civic Center to get registered for the Car Show.
At the same time, the festival opened at Brock Mill Pond and the Jones County Civic Center, with vendors, exhibits, and activities for visitors. The day offered a mix of heritage, fun, and community pride.
At Brock Mill Pond, attendees could kayak, tour the historic Brock Mill House, and visit Heritage Skill Exhibitors, who demonstrated traditional crafts like sewing, basket weaving, buck skinning, and primitive trapping.
Visitors could ride a festival shuttle or drive to the Jones County Civic Center, where more vendors and activities were waiting. Everyone who entered the building received a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize after the Local Entertainment Show.
Animal displays included a friendly goat at the R&R Farm Services booth, where visitors could also buy fresh meat. Since the weather kept Jones County 4-H’s dairy cows inside, they brought Eve the Cow for guests to try milking.
At 10:00 a.m., the Jones County Heritage Pageant began, emceed by Dana Bender. Seating was provided for families and visitors. Five contestants, ages 4 to 18, competed in three age groups and three categories: On Stage Presentation, Talent, and On Stage Question. All participants went home with a crown, flowers, sash, and more confidence.
Food vendors offered a variety of tasty treats, including hot dogs, slushies, lumpia, loaded fries, ice cream, lemonade, mini cakes, and funnel cakes. An outdoor seating area let visitors relax and enjoy their food.
After the pageant, the festival held its first Eating Contest, featuring Toast Chee peanut butter crackers. Four participants had five minutes to eat as many crackers as possible, with water provided. The crowd cheered as contestants raced to finish. Two winners were named—one adult and one junior—each receiving a trophy.
Next was the Local Talent portion of the Local Entertainment Show. First up was The Pink Slipper Dance Academy, a returning group showing off the skills of their young dancers. Owner and Director Melanie Lassiter Singh emceed while the students performed.
The last Local Talent act featured Halle Powell and the Senior Shuffle Project, a program that gives seniors in elder care and community centers the chance to dance. Seniors joined Halle on stage for fun routines, and she ended the performance with a tap dance.
At 1:00 p.m., the NC Sons of the American Revolution held a musket fire demonstration outdoors, drawing a crowd to watch the historic display.
Attendees could also try their strength in the Hay Toss and Frying Pan Toss, seeing who could throw a hay bale or cast-iron pan the farthest.
The Awards Ceremony started at 2:00 p.m., giving out trophies and certificates to winners of the Youth T-Shirt Design Contest, Mobile Phone Photography Competition, Eating Contest, Frying Pan Toss, and Hay Toss.
The festival continued until 3:00 p.m., with more vendors, exhibits, and activities. Attendees enjoyed crocheted jackets, Christmas wreaths, honey, raffle tickets, smoothie bikes, goat milk soap, stitched purses, amusement rides, axe throwing, and games for kids. Overall, it was a great weekend, and the community looks forward to next year!