Saturday’s ninth annual Gateway to the Delta Festival in Charleston was blessed with sunny skies, crisp temperatures and a good crowd.
As the granddaddy of all currently active festivals in Tallahatchie County, Gateway annually draws several thousand local, out-of-county and even out-of-state visitors to the event encompassing Charleston’s Court Square.
Nearly 50 vendors were on hand this year to offer festivalgoers everything from information about rural high-speed internet to cheeseburgers, and from blood pressure checks to funnel cakes, paintings, clothing and the list goes on and on.
A dozen or so class reunion booths featuring graduates of Charleston schools faced the stage, where music of practically every genre was churned out by seven different acts from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. It seemed there was something for just about everyone’s musical tastes.
A car show, mayor’s fun run, children’s area with inflatable games and activities, a petting zoo and several raffles livened up the festivities.
Gateway, as is the case with most other festivals and daylong community events in the county — Glendora Day, Sumner Fall Festival, Tutwiler Day and Webb Day come immediately to mind — could not be put on without the financial support of sponsors and the dedicated efforts of a small army of volunteers. Hats off to them all!
Of course, any team effort involves a tactician and coordinator. The Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort, led by Carol Roark, Brandon McFerrin and a festival committee comprised of CARE members, plans and executes Gateway.
We can hardly wait to see what is cooked up for next year’s 10th annual Gateway festival, but we imagine it will be something grand.
