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Kenan's Mill opens Saturday
Published Thursday, November 5, 2009
Jim Wood, who was on hand during last year's festival, demonstrates how the mill works at Kenan's Mill during the annual Bluegrass Festival. Corn meal can be bought there two times a year.
SELMA — Saturday's weather calls for a sunny day with the high around 73, so what better way to spend it than outside?
Luckily, Kenan’s Mill annual Bluegrass Festival is taking place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The old mill, which is operational, stands high over Valley Creek and amid the tall trees.
“The mill will be up and running again this year,” said Ken Smith, Kenan’s Mill chairman. “We’ll also have grits in addition to corn meal, though.”
Smith said over the years people have asked workers if they have any grits, but the mill hasn’t made any in a long time — that is until Saturday.
Other crowd favorites will be back, like the chili cook-off and the cornbread cook-off.
Ribbons will be awarded to first- and second-place winners.
Also judges pick and the crowd’s favorite of each category receive $250.
Entry fee is $5 per team. For more information, contact Smith at 875-3160 or 875-2600, extension 234 before 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The judging for the food will get under way at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Shortly after the chili and cornbread tastings Caleb Byrant will start the bluegrass music at 11 a.m.
Hurricane Creek will be up next at noon and then around 2 p.m.
The festival will have several vendors.
“There will be a potter there this year and he’ll be doing some activities,” Smith said. “He will actually be there helping kids make their own pottery from local clay.”
After the kids are done with making works of art, they can head over to the inflatables to bounce around or climb aboard the tractor for a ride.
There will also be several artists selling their wares at the festival.
Elizabeth Kenan Buchanan donated the mill to the Selma Dallas County Historic Preservation Society in 1997. The dam and equipment has been restored to an operating state as a living history museum.
No one is quite sure about the age of the mill, which was built by Zebulon Butler for the Valley Creek Community and acquired by the Kenan Family in the 1830s — or so it was assumed.
Such assumption seem logical since the needs of the first settlers, in the early 1820s, dictated that mills be built along the creeks to provide families with flour and meal.
However, a letter written by James Kenan in 1861 to his brother in North Carolina states, "Our corn meal is but just finished and we are debating the question of putting up a flour mill."
Admission into the yearly festival is $5 per car.
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Comments
Posted by Bg (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a Great event for Selma and I try to go every year but it's in the middle of football season :(
I hope it is a success
Posted by P_cola (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My children are ages 2 and 5 are these good ages to really enjoy the event?
Posted by Bg (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
P_cola Yes! That is perfect! Take a picnic blanket and listen to some great music, plus there are arts and crafts for the kids, one year they had "pony" rides, lots of other kids to "run" with and explore the mill..
A very relaxed and family friendly atmosphere!
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