History of Littleton Lake Gaston Festival

Like many good things, the Littleton-Lake Gaston Festival had humble beginnings.  In the summer of 1985 the Littleton Merchant’s Association decided to hold an event that would promote Littleton as a good place to live and do business – and everyone would have some fun.  That first year, Ann Hawfield, William Young and Quinton Qualls organized the merchants to hold sidewalk sales in front of their businesses and invited two pigs to a barbeque.  The barbeque sold out by 11am, but everyone else had a good time.  The second year added a flea market, some sidewalk entertainment and six pigs came to dinner.

By the third Festival on September 5^, 1987, things were on a roll.  The Merchants had formed the “Littleton Downtown Turnaround Committee” to put on the Festival.  The all day Saturday festival included on stage entertainment, clowns, a dunking booth, bake sale, Madam Ella the fortune teller, face painting, and an outdoor café.  The Festival was promoted as the “Littleton Festival”.  And 10 pigs came to dinner.

The “turnaround” was more than a fun day in the fall.  It served (and continues to serve today) as a catalyst in the downtown area.  The first major project was to landscape the abandoned Railroad grade along North Main St after the tracks were torn up and hauled off.  Holly trees were planted on Main St, welcome signs at the entrances to town, grass cutting, Christmas lights, a grant to upgrade business fronts, a town cleanup day, and a number of smaller projects would come from the energy- and funds-generated by the festival.

In 1988 the growing scope of the Festival is reflected in yet another name change, “The Littleton-Lake Gaston Festival”.  The NC National Guard mad3e the first of its several appearances and the festival goers enjoyed a King and Queen, mule cart rides (no connection), a Littleton “CookAround” Cookbook, an alumni reunion area, and more stuff to buy.  The festival had grown to generally occupy the central part of town.  And the Littleton Fire Department took over inviting the pigs, and their friends the chickens, to dinner.

By 1991, the Merchant’s Turnaround Committee had evolved into the Littleton Revitalization Committee as the Festival sponsor.  The local area flea market was now spreading down North Main St as crafters and other vendors came to join the fun and profit.  A stage was set up for entertainment all day Saturday and a roving juggler worked his way through the crowd.  Our old friends, the pigs and chickens were joined by funnel cakes, hot dogs, fried stuff and other tasty things your doctor told you to never eat. 

The Littleton Dinosaur showed up in 1993.

One of the Festival’s favorite attractions, the Stray Cats Classic Car Show and Parade made its first appearance in 1994.  The parade started at the Lakeland Arts Center, traveled up Mosby Ave and then east on Main St to their show area behind BB&T Bank.  Moon Walks, games and the “human fly trap” provided fun for the kids.  An essay contest was held, community information booths and health screenings had become regular parts of the Festival. And more eating.

1996 saw a big jump in the scale of the Festival to a two day affair.  The Friday evening fun included a fish fry.  A DJ and Karaoke Contest and a street dance with live music by the Aces and Eights Band.  The Saturday events were also expanding 62 different crafters and vendors sold along North Main St with 16 food vendors in the area next to Casa Mia restaurant.  Many church, youth, civic and service organizations used the festival to spread the word and to raise funds.  The people in those groups were the same folks who gave their time, and talent, and energy to make the festival a continuing success.  Did I mention the food yet…….???????

Things rolled along pretty smoothly, 1998 saw the first of many musical appearances by the Castaways Band, and a pig calling contest (also no connection). In 1999 the world famous Littleton Tee Shirt made its first appearance.  Also a necessary step backward, the Classic Car Parade had become so popular (and long) that we could no longer close down Route 158.  In 2000, the Revitalization Committee took on the Littleton Lions Club as a partner in putting on the Festival.

Littleton’s 125^th anniversary year started off with a spring festival in late April, but after 18 years, we ran out of luck with the fall weather.  Having avoided a few near misses, including an afternoon Hurricane, the 2002 fall festival was rained out.

Now if Littleton can survive the Civil War, the Boll Weevil, and the Railroad shutting down, surely we can handle an untimely rainy day.  So, on with the show, I mean festival.  This year’s Festival will have all of the past year’s favorite attractions, plus some new ones.  An antiques and collectibles area is planned.  Mr. Pig will resume his rightful place a top the festival’s food chain with a Barbeque Cook Off contest.

The years have seen some changes, except for two things.  The goal of the festival remains to promote Littleton as a good place to live and do business –and everyone have some fun.   Come and enjoy!