Gray’s annual Turkey Festival was held April 16 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., providing the community with food, entertainment and a day outdoors.
Heather Johnson, the Gray-Jones County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said everyone was really excited for the event. She said she was glad the weather improved, and the festival went on successfully.
“The Turkey Festival used to be the Daylily Festival. We started the Turkey Fest, so we don’t have to wait for daylilies to bloom,” she said. “Jones County is also well known for turkey season. A lot of people come here to hunt turkeys at Piedmont, and we thought this would be a good way to bring everyone together and bring in the turkey season.”
The director said they had tons of arts and crafts vendors, boutiques, food vendors, and a bunch of non-profit organizations. Candidates for the Jones County Board of Education were also present. She said people were able to purchase bird houses, clothes, lemonade, brownies, cupcakes and much more at the Turkey Festival.
“This was a great way to bring people from outside of our county to bring people to our businesses here in Jones County and see what Jones County is all about. And it brought in tax money. This was an excellent community event to bring people together, too. It was good family fun,” Johnson said.
Trey Murray, president of the Gray Jaycees, said he was happy to see people at the Turkey Festival. He said everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves. The Jaycees hosted an Easter egg hunt across the street at First Baptist Church the same day.
“People were able to go to the Easter egg hunt, then come across the street to enjoy the festival,” he said.
Murray said they set up near the children’s area at the Turkey Festival, because the Gray Jaycees are looking for members. He said they had temporary tattoos for children if they wanted one.
“We were excited for the Turkey Festival. It was a great day. The weather cleared up, so we were able to go ahead with events. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and I’m glad the community came out to support the festival,” Murray said.
The executive director said there was plenty of food and shopping for people in the community to engage in, and the children were able to play on the bouncy houses. She said people were able to sit back and enjoy live entertainment at the festival, too. Johnson said it was a good day.
“I enjoy the people coming together as one at the Turkey Festival, and seeing what everyone has to offer our community,” she said. “I just enjoy the family fun, the entertainment of it all and bringing everyone together for a fun day.”
