SIX MILE — For the past 26 years, the tiny town of Six Mile has put its best foot forward for a day of good music and delicious food in the annual celebration of the Issaqueena Festival. Year 27 was no different.
With the forecasts calling for rain, festivals organizers took to social media to keep attendance levels high by spreading the hashtag “#rainorshine” to posts and asking people to tag themselves in last year’s photos.
It worked.
Come Saturday, North Main Street was crowded with hundreds of festival goers perusing the vendor booths, admiring the classic and antique cars and lounging out in the grassy green areas as kids jumped in bouncy castles and took turns in the dunking booth.
“We did think it was going to rain, so I have ponchos stuffed in my purse just in case,” said Heather Collins of Pickens. “But it’s looking like we’re going to be OK.”
Even if it had rained, they would have come anyway, she said.
Funnel cakes, barbecue and ice cream, face painting, Spirograph art and woodworking — there was something for everyone at the jubilee event.
Kids ran up and down the street with yellow balloons tied to their wrists while adults gathered to listen to the live bands that took to the stage. The entire fair was reminiscent of a simpler time in years past that exuded nothing but good old fashioned fun.
“I’ve been coming to this carnival for the 10 ten years and it’s rained a few times” said Collins. “But we always have fun. Getting a little wet never hurt anybody. Besides, have you tasted these funnel cakes? Soooo worth it.”
