There’s a touch of fall in the air making it perfect festival weather, so slip on some comfortable shoes and head out to Oakley Park (at the corner of Highway 25 and Columbia Road) in Edgefield this weekend for the Eighth Annual Heritage Jubilee.

Activities begin as early as 5 p.m. on Friday with vendors and crafters on hand to get the festival rolling. Make sure you’re in a dancing mood because the festival will also get underway with a performance by the international blues band, The King Bees of North Carolina.

The performance begins at 7 p.m. and lasts until 11. A free street dance will be available to all.

“For those who don’t dance, linger and enjoy the music,” said Joel Jolly, event chairperson.

Beer sales also begin at 7 and the famous “Anything But BBQ” competition will start around 6:30 with food samplings available at 7. In this contest, teams prepare their favorite recipes and for $1 tickets, the public can sample their delicacies.

The contest is judged by popular vote. Sixteen cook teams are expected for the “Anything Goes” as well as the Whole Hog Competition on Saturday. For the “Anything Goes” competition on Friday night, first, second and third prizes will be awarded.

Children’s jump castle activities will not be available on Friday.

Cooking for the Whole Hog Competition will begin on Friday night and continue all night. Judging by the S.C. Barbecue Association will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. First through Seventh Place awards will be given out and the First Place winner will receive a cash award of $1,000.

Immediately following the competition, barbecue plate lunches will go on sale for $5, each containing chips, a drink and a barbecue sandwich. Barbecue by the quart can also be purchased.
Jolly said the two featured charities this year are W.E. Parker PTO and Women in Unity After-School Program.

“So, if you have a penchant for either of these charities, the main thing you can do to help them is to purchase some of this barbecue,” he said. “All of the proceeds will go to them.”

Carolina First and Wachovia Banks, along with W.E. Parker Elementary School are pre-selling barbecue tickets. T-shirts are also being pre-sold for $10 each and will be available all day at the festival.

Other Saturday happenings include an antique tractor show, classic car show and children’s jump castles. Food and craft vendors of all varieties will be on hand, with food items including funnel cakes, Italian ice, ice cream, hotdogs, Nachos, fried fish, hamburgers, Bloomin’ Onions, peanuts, French fries, Kettle Korn, Elephant Ears, corn dogs and sausage dogs. The festival committee is still accepting craft vendors.

For a small fee, the United Daughters of the Confederacy will conduct tours of the historic Oakley Park museum beginning at 10 a.m.

Entertainment from center stage will continue all day beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting until 4, opening and closing with Broken Arrow. Other performances include a karate demonstration, bluegrass, gospel and contemporary music. All music is free to the public.

“We hope everyone will come out and enjoy the festival,” said Jolly. “The Town has done a great job with the grounds. The historic nature of the park makes it an ideal location for the festival, to show off our heritage. This makes it an educational experience as well as a fun time.”

For more information on the festival, contact Jolly at 637-1900.