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Festival Brings Town Together

By Donna Bumgarner

Once a year the town of Little Mountain celebrates a festival that began in 1882 when some students, faculty members, alumni, and administration decided to generate some interest in the young school. According to the Newberry Observer, in 1882 the group met at Corinth Lutheran Church across from the Saluda River. One or two years later they chose Little Mountain as their location. It turned out so well there that they decided to have it there every year.
The site at the foot of Little Mountain was perfect. The walk to the top of the mountain was part of the experience each year. The land belonged to A. N. Boland, and he was not disturbed by the idea of people gathering at his place. In fact, he prepared delicious foods like barbecue, rice and hash, and ice cream for those who attended. He also made fresh lemonade for the festival goers.
Some people preferred to bring their own food, so Boland built picnic tables beneath the shady trees. Whether they came by train, horseback, wagons, or carts, all of the visitors were welcome and had a great time. Some of the old-timers even recalled the first train that came through Little Mountain in 1890. People from Irmo, Ballentine, White Rock, Chapin, Clinton, Goldville, Kinards, Prosperity, and Slighs came to the annual festival. They also remember the coaches that brought people in from different places. It was a time to renew old friendships and catch up on political thinking, especially the political atmosphere of the Dutch Fork area.
The 2009 Little Moun-tain Reunion Festival recently celebrated one hundred twenty-seven years of history and tradition with its annual summer festival, a history that was interrupted on the eve of World War II. It was not resurrected until 1976, when the town of Little Mountain and the Rotary Club decided to renew the project. There was so much enthusiasm that many of the people jumped at the chance to help. The festival that year was very successful and it once more became an annual event.
This year’s event, like those in the past, overflowed with large, hungry crowds and a unique atmosphere to experience family, friends, fun, and fellowship and support civic groups. Live music, games, carnival rides, and vendors were just a small part of this year’s festival. There was a parade to end all parades, complete with motorcycles, tractors, big trucks, cheerleaders, and the Hejaz Shriners’ hillbilly trucks, cars, and scooters.
People from all parts of Newberry County and the surrounding area lined the streets to watch the parade and check out the vendors’ booths, games, music, and the rides. They enjoyed two days of fun, fellowship, and fantastic food. Jean Alewine was among those who lined the street to watch the parade. Jimmie Seymore, Glenn Bumgarner and this writer were part of the Goldwing Road Riders from Newberry and Saluda. Major Danny Gilliam of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office was the driver of a Kabota belonging to the Sheriff’s Department that carried the department’s mascot in the parade.
Little Mountain is a small town. However, there is one weekend a year when Little Mountain’s population swells to the point that parking places are hard to find, businesses are very busy, and the streets are filled. It is the annual weekend folklore festival that began with a reunion way back in 1882.

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