Seven Springs to celebrate its history Saturday during annual Ole Timey Days

SEVEN SPRINGS — Wayne County’s oldest town will celebrate its history from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, during the annual Ole Timey Days.

It is a celebration as well of Seven Springs’ continuing efforts to recover from three historic hurricane-spawned Neuse River flooding events over the past 25 years.And Seven Springs Mayor Ronda Hughes is inviting the public to visit and enjoy a great day on the town’s Main Street.

The annual event has been held for more than 20 years, but organizers aren’t sure just how many since there have been years, particularly following the floods and during the COVID pandemic, when it didn’t take place, Hughes said.

A highlight of the day will be the presentation of the Gladys Potter Award, presented to someone who is an outstanding member of the community and who has helped contribute to things going on in Seven Springs.The award is named in memory of the late Gladys Potter, who was a community leader.

“We have a petting zoo coming this year, train rides, face painting, horse rides, all kinds of vendors,” Hughes said. “There is going to be a raffle for a homemade quilt that you can buy tickets that day.

“A lady from my church, Walker Memorial, made it, and the drawing will be on May 26.”

Tickets are $5 each.

New this year will be food trucks. In prior years, the town sold barbecued pork.

“So we have all kinds of food trucks coming,” Hughes continued. “That has taken a lot of work off of us doing that way — a lot of the money we had to have for it (barbecue), too.

“All of that stuff costs a lot of money.”

There will be plenty of food, including hot dogs and hamburgers and one food truck offering Hispanic cuisine, Hughes said.

Vendors will selling arts and crafts and other items.

Tractors and cars will be on display.

A number of queens will be on hand,including Queen of the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair, N.C. Pickle Festival Court, Miss Goldsboro and Miss Outstanding Teen.

“There will be a Miss Ole Timey Days — there will be several of them,” Hughes added.

There will be free entertainment on the stage in front of the old Southern Bank building including signers and musicians and magic shows.

The opening ceremony and awards presentations will be held at the stage as well.

Students from Spring Creek High School dressed in colorful traditional Latin costumes will perform traditional Latin dances.

Six winners will be announced for the Spring Creek Elementary School student essay and art contests.

A children’s pedal tractor race will be held and there will be train rides, horse rides and horse and wagon rides around town.

The town also has a new children’s park on Spring Street that children will be able to play on, Hughes said.

The park was built using federal grant funds on a lot that previously housed an older park, probably 25 or 30 years old, where the equipment had gotten old, Hughes said.

“We have got to do the landscaping still, but we have the equipment installed and it looks so good,” Hughes said.

The park also will have a nod to the town’s history — the seven mineral springs the town owes its name to.

“We have got some buildings to be constructed — a replica of the pavilion and replica of the spring house with the seven wells,” Hughes said. “There will be a stop and read that goes around the walking path.

“Then we have a mediation park that is going to be coming on Main Street. It is full of plants, trees, flowers, and there will be tables, benches and chairs.”

Reenactors will be set up in the area behind the post office to demonstrate life during the Civil War era, and there will be a display of historic artifacts.

The event, held rain or shine, normally attracts a large crowd to the small town, and this year’s event is expected to be no different, Hughes said.

“It is just good, wholesome fun for the family,” she said. “There is something for everybody.”