Tabor City Tribune

Hazel Pleased A Few People

Well, the few non-progressive individuals who bitterly oppose the annual Yam Festival were in their glory when Hurricane Hazel threw a monkey wrench and a few roofs into the terrific plans.

Surely, no one was happy over the grief wrought by Hazel and it's difficult to conceive of anyone taking delight in seeing one of the best promotional features ever established in Tabor City droop from too much wind and rain. Yet, we have seen the smile of satisfaction and it wasn't a pleasant sight.

There is little question that if it weren't for the Yam Festival there wouldn't be much to brag about in the way of festivities around Tabor City.

Aside from the celebrating phase, the festival actually provides a means of educating farmers in the growth and marketing of sweet potatoes. That's the main purpose of the festival and no one can deny that it is accomplished.

We often wonder why there are people opposed to the Yam Festival. Those opposed obviously don't exert any energy and to them it's all for free—it costs them nothing to watch the festivities.

What does the festival do for Tabor City? If nothing else it creates good will that money wouldn't buy. Too, the name of Tabor City is flung far and wide throughout North Carolina. Newspapers have been kind to Tabor City and have come to regard it as one of the most progressive small communities in Eastern North Carolina.

Until such time as the majority of merchants oppose the festival we have high hopes of seeing it expand from year to year.

We commend the merchants who were responsible for making the Seventh Annual Carolinas Yam Festival the success that it was despite adverse weather conditions.