The 35th annual Yadkin Valley Harvest Festival will be held in downtown Yadkinville this Saturday from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The festival is sponsored by the Yadkin Arts Council and is one of the favorites in the area.

Yadkin Arts Council President John Willingham said that over 10,000 people visited during last year’s festival, and they expect the numbers to increase this year.

“Yadkinville is an up and coming community,” Willingham said. “With the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center in town, people are visiting our art exhibits, attending classes and visiting the artists in their YARD studios. It’s an exciting time to live in Yadkin County.”

The festival will also have the sixth annual Yadkin Valley IDOL contest sponsored by the Yadkinville Rotary Club. The event will take place between 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on the Main Stage located at the corner of Elm and State streets.

Four contestants will compete in the age 15 and under category and four contestants will compete in the 16 and over category.

A panel of qualified judges will decide who the Yadkin Idol should be. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Entertainment will take place on two stages throughout the day and an animal petting zoo will be located in front of the Yadkin County Public Library.

Numerous food vendors will offer an array of tastie treats for all and the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center will be open for viewing of the show in the Welborn Art Gallery as well as the artists of the YARD.

Craft vendors will be located all along the streets with various handmade items for purchase.

At 11 a.m. Yadkinville’s Mayor Hubert Gregory will arrive at the main stage driven in by the Wells Fargo stagecoach drawn by a team of horses.

Residents can stage their own photos by the stagecoach between 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

“This will be a great festival,” Willingham said. “We’re looking forward to seeing all our Yadkin County residents come out and enjoy the day as well as visitors to the area.”

For more information on the festival, contact the Yadkin Arts Council at 336-679-2941.