Anyone who has ever traveled Boones Creek Road cannot easily forget the kelly green historic-style home that sits just past the railroad trestle.
Saturday was one of those days for many riding down the long stretch of road, as the home’s front and side yards, as well as the field behind the home, were transformed into the 3rd Annual Boones Creek Day.
A variety of 50 vendors set up tents and tables along the grounds showcasing many items, from Native American crafts to pottery and woodworking. Food vendors were also on site with shaved ice, kettle corn, as well as barbecue plates and root beer floats provided by the Boones Creek Ruritan Club.
One of the vendors included artist Nick Freeman, originally from Bristol, who was displaying and selling his charcoal drawings at the event.
Freeman’s drawings included pictures from “The Wizard of Oz,” New York City, the Bristol Archway on State Street and a vintage view of old downtown Johnson City with a cable car going through town.
“I try to do urban landscapes —— old buildings and old downtowns and what used to be that maybe isn’t what it used to be, but people remember it and still want to remember when they used to go to the soda fountain here and when they used to walk around as kids,” he said.
Freeman’s work is on display throughout the year at Boones Creek Potters Gallery located on the property, but said this event let him speak with people interested in his art.
“It’s nice to meet people ... and meet who buys your work, because often when they buy it in a gallery you don’t get to see their faces and you don’t get to see what they’re going to do with it,” he said. “And also to meet people who have bought your work and they get to tell you where they’ve hung it and how much they’ve enjoyed seeing it, that’s always a good feeling to know.”
While the event was a first for Freeman, he said he’d been enjoying a little bit of everything throughout the day.
“This was the first year that I had this weekend free, so I thought I had better come down here and see what goes on for the festival,” he said. “This is a good crowd that’s out here and the music’s good and I’ve eaten my way through the festival so far.”
Mary Jane Rudy and her friend Susan Mitchell were newcomers to Boones Creek Day and said they were both pleasantly surprised by the event.
“I think it’s great,” Rudy said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever been here and didn’t know what to expect, but it’s fun and the weather’s perfect for it.”
Jennifer Reese, the owner of Boones Creek Potters Gallery and member of Boones Creek Historical Trust, the sponsors for the event, said she was happy to introduce the gallery to people in the community passing through the event.
“It brings a lot of people into the gallery,” she said. “A lot of people say they drive by all the time, but have never stopped, and so now they stop and get to wander around.”
Reese said she was equally pleased with the turnout of people and said she would like to eventually see their one-day event turn into a weekend event later on down the road. “We want to keep growing. Boones Creek is just a wonderful area and it’s got a great history,” she said.