Boy Scouts carry the Faison Farmers’ Parade banner and the U.S. and N.C. flags (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Kent Southerland gives a thumbs up as he drives the tractor pulling the Peace Baptist Church of Calypso float in the Faison Farmers’ Parade (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Mary Applins of Warsaw sits in front of one of Faison murals as she awaits the start of the March 25 Faison Farmers’ Parade sponsored by the Faison Improvement Group. Applins is a Faison native (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Raelynn Blackburn, 16 months old, enjoys a tasty treat as she and her parents, Jordan and Taylor Blackburn, wait for the start of the Saturday, March 25, Faison Farmers’ Parade sponsored by the Faison Improvement Group. At left is Raelynn’s grandfather, Neil Blackburns. The Blackburns are from Clinton (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Naomi Bounds, 3, and family friend Brooklyn Holmes, 8, rest against the legs of Naomi’s father, the Rev. Greg Bounds, as they listen to local musicians who performed for the Faison Farmers’ Parade (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Arianna Davis, National Future Little Miss United States Agriculture, was one of several queens to ride in the Faison Farmers’ Parade (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Eli Jimenez, 7, hugs his little sister, Emma, 2, who was more interested in the candy she scooped up during the Faison Farmers’ Parade. They are the children of Ruby Quintanilla (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Boy Scouts follow the Faison Improvement Group car in the Farmers’ Parade sponsored by the group (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Tractors and farming operations were the stars of the Faison Farmers’ Parade (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Steve Jones of Calypso hands out candy to Carson Medlin, 6, and his cousins Emilia Haley, 5, and Everett Haley, 3. Carson is the son of Jeremy and Renee Medlin of Clinton. Emilia and Everett are the children of Doug and Jeanna Haley of Goldsboro (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
A horse and carriage brought up the end of the Faison Farmers’ Parade (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
People riding on the Natures Way Farms float laugh as they toss out candy to spectators lining West Main Street during the Faison Farmers’ Parade (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Keeping one hand on the wheel, a young rider in the Faison Farmers’ Parade uses his free hand to toss out candy (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Cottle Farms’ strawberry mascot waves to the people lining Faison’s West Main Street as those riding on its trailer float throw out candy. The float was among the many entries in the March 25 Faison Farmers’ Parade sponsored by the Faison Improvement Group (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Sponsored by the Faison Improvement Group, the March 25 Faison Farmers’ Parade paid tribute to the community’s farmers and farming operations (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
FAISON — The tractors, farm families and farming operations that power Duplin County’s massive agricultural economic engine paraded through downtown Faison Saturday morning, March 25.
Sponsored by the Faison Improvement Group (FIG), the Faison Farmers’ Parade stretched from its line-up spot on Ellis Street up West Main Street (N.C. 403) to South Center Street. Spectators lined both sides of the parade route.
The parade stepped off at 11 a.m. and lasted almost until noon.
The purpose of the parade, the first in the town since 2020, was to honor Faison farmers, farm families and farm workers.
Before and after the parade, spectators headed to food trucks that had set up for the event.
A few tractors were scatted through the entries, but most were in the honored reserved area to conclude the parade.
The parade also boasted Boy Scouts, semis, emergency vehicles, cars, motorcycles, ATVs, queens and even a horse and carriage.
The young and young-at-heart darted in and out of the street to scoop up the treasure trove of candy tossed out by those riding in the parade.
FIG assists in future planning and beautification of the town; promotes economic, education and industrial development; attracts newcomers, visitors and businesses to the greater Faison area; and improves the quality of life for Faison residents and the surrounding area.
Projects FIG is involved in include: Market Day, Faison Farmers’ Parade, Ghost Walk, Christmas home tours, Art in the Park, soccer field facilities, supports Faison Recreation, partnered with the Faison Garden Club and town murals.
The group meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at the Anne Stroud Taylor Recreation and Wellness Center classroom.
Message FIG by sending email to faisonimprovementgroup@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page.
