First Annual Red Springs Cotton Festival, 1949

From The Robesonian, Lumberton, Oct. 3, 1949

RED SPRINGS—All is in readiness for the first annual Red Springs Cotton Festival to be held Wednesday, according to George W. Ashford, chairman of this event. The festival is under the sponsorship of the newly formed Red Springs Merchants Association.

Highlight of the day will be an address by the Honorable Clyde R. Hoey, senior senator from North Carolina, who will deliver an address on current national affairs. Senator Hoey will speak from a specially built platform near the post office.

Senator Hoey will be introduced by Rep. Ertel Carlyle of Lumberton. Other guests of the day include Frank Jeter, Carolina radio commentator and agricultural editor for the North Carolina State College and Extension Service, [and] L.Y. (Stag) Ballentine, State Commissioner of Agriculture.

Activities will include a football game between the Red Springs and Clarkton teams to be played at Robbins Park, and a calf-catching contest. The latter will consist of 10 registered calves being turned loose in the ball park for 4-H Club members to catch. The calves must be caught, haltered, and lead to the finish line by a boy or girl with no outside aid. These calves will be exhibited and sold at auction at the 4-H Fat Stock Show to be held in Robeson County in May.

During the day, a free car will be given away by the Red Springs Merchants Association. The time and place for this is yet to be announced.

A display of jet planes from Shaw Field will fly over Red Springs during the day and will give a demonstration.