HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Recovery from Helene requires many elements, including a key role in business and local fall festivals.
In the aftermath of the storm, the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is encouraging visitors to spend their money at local businesses, including stores on Main Street in Waynesville, and attend the Apple Festival on Saturday, October 19th. We encourage you to do so.
”[It’s] It’s one of the biggest festivals of the year,” said Caleb Beaver, owner of Kilwin’s on Main.
Beaver said the Apple Harvest Festival is always a great place for business.
“We’re going to make over 500 caramel apples,” Beaver said.
But this year’s festival takes on additional unexpected meaning, as it comes just over three weeks after Hurricane Helen devastated the WNC area.
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“My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the storm,” Bieber said.
Bieber said he believes the festival can provide some reprieve.
“The Apple Festival is a great way and opportunity for people to come together,” Beaver said.
Bieber isn’t the only one who recognizes the festival’s importance. Haywood County Chamber of Commerce President David Francis said this is a chance to take a breather and remind locals and visitors alike that many businesses in Haywood County are open and in trouble. Ta.
“We’ve heard from the Waynesville business community how much this festival is needed. Without the search and rescue people and emergency management people who worked so hard, this festival wouldn’t be happening. There wasn’t,” Francis said. We are working diligently to get us up and running again. ”
This year’s festival will be scaled back a bit, as storm damage was reportedly too severe to attend, but Main Street is still expected to be crowded.
The message coming from the Town of Waynesville is that the town is “back and open for business,” including one of its local breweries, Frog Rebel Brewing Company. Frog Rebel Brewing Company suffered some flooding, but is getting back on its feet.
“This is our second busiest month of the year,” Monty Bambernick said. “We rely on tourism, but we want to welcome people back in a safe manner, and we’re still here.”
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There is also business in Canton and Maggie Valley, with Maggie Valley hosting an arts and crafts fair this weekend.
Francis said cleanup grants are another resource to help businesses get back on their feet after the hurricane.
“I’m really happy that I was able to give them a little bit of an incentive to come back,” Francis said.
He said he believes the apple festival helps in the healing process.
“I think this is a great place to come back as a community and come together and celebrate what’s important: moving forward with our community and starting our community’s recovery and resilience,” Francis said. .
The Apple Festival will be held on Saturday, October 19th from 10am to 5pm and admission is free. In addition to food music and crafts, FEMA will also be available at the festival and United Way will be accepting donations.
