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Community, News

Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival is June 7

| Tony Judnich
It was festival time in Laurel Hill. As Mildred Campbell laid out multiple pots of various native plants she’d raised, Tracy Curenton, with the assistance of her brother, Mark, and cousin, Janet Twitty, was setting up a books-and-DVDs sale.
Fine arts, folk crafts, cottage foods, and handicrafts will be featured by local artists and crafters at the Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival on June 7. (Photo by Brian Hughes)

Nearby, guys from Boy Scouts Troop 773 were firing up the grill for a feast of hamburgers and hotdogs, to be followed by Scout Cobbler, that sumptuous dessert unique to scouting that only Boy Scouts can make with any degree of panache.

Boy Scouts from Troop 773 ready a pot of famed Scout Cobbler for visitors. (Photo by Brian Hughes)

Artists, heritage groups, community organizations, crafters, cottage food makers and photographers popped up their EasyUp canopies and set out their wares and displays. Under the new pavilion on the spacious grounds of host Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, area musicians were tuning up.

The annual Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival may not be Okaloosa County’s biggest community festival, but for folks in the north end of the county, it’s one of the most fun. This year, it’s Saturday, June 7.

Members of the Laurel Hill and Crestview Presbyterian churches have been producing the festival since 2010. The event has proved popular with participants and attendees alike for its congenial atmosphere.

“It is a wonderful small-town festival,” Joanne Kublik, the churches’ new pastor, said. “It’s very family friendly and a great place to spend a few hours.”

Heritage and history groups include the Baker Block Museum and North Okaloosa Historical Association and the Crestview Area Sister City Program. The Crestview History Museum’s Living History Corps also will have a display, with uniformed re-enactors and equipment representing the American military from eras including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Visitors read history panels about Laurel Hill at a prior Arts and Heritage Festival. (Photo by Brian Hughes)

To complement the Boy Scouts’ grilled treats, the host churches will offer a selection of homemade baked goods. Dessert and plant sales benefit the local missions of both churches. Sales of gently read books and viewed DVDs benefit the local Laurel Hill Little Free Library.

Live music includes Orange Calico Skii Vacation, a talented duo noted for their jazz and ambient music. Neal Dalton Kelly, acclaimed for his guitar virtuosity and vocals and a frequent performer at night spots along the coast, brings his wide range of music and vast repertoire.

Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums, which has been with the Arts and Heritage Festival since the beginning 15 years ago, returns to share the haunting and stirring music of Scottish Highland bagpipes.

There is no admission to the Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — “Just the right length for a festival,” one attendee once said.

Wood turner Dannis Young describes his handcrafted works to potential customers. (Photo by Brian Hughes)

The event is on the grounds of the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, 8115 Fourth St. Parking is just north of the church at the track at the corner of Fourth Street and Park Place.

“Our churches work hard to make this festival a success,” Kublik said. “Many artistic and culinary treats will be available for purchase, and I highly recommend the Scout Cobbler. Come early before it’s gone.”

Exhibitor space is still available and may be reserved at bit.ly/3Dn1slT. For more information, contact brian_abroad@yahoo.com or 850.682.2835. There is a $20 registration fee, but $10 will be refunded to those exhibitors who remain for the entire event.

Editor’s note: Brian Hughes is the festival chairman of the Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival.

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