"Every Picture Tells a Story ... Don't It:" Washington's Festivals Aplenty | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Washington, North Carolina may be a small city here in eastern North Carolina, but it has developed into the festival capital of the region. In parts of the second and third weeks of June, the folks Downeast were entertained by two separate festivals held in downtown Washington, and along its waterfront: Washington's annual Summer Festival, 2011 and Music in the Streets, which is held on the third Friday of each month during the warmer months of each calendar year.

    The first of the two festivals was the Washington Summer Festival, which has been a staple of summer time fun for nearly 40 years. What began as a golf tournament and sailing regatta originating from the Washington Yacht and Country Club, with other ancillary sundry events, including a ski show, scattered about, including some downtown events, with an occasional band, has evolved into a nearly exclusive downtown fun fest, with all the trappings of a mini-state fair on the waterfront.

With any fair-like-atmosphere, with all its trappings, the most import ingredient is the people who swarm to its allure, and that which draws them: Above and below.     photos by Stan Deatherage

The whirl, and the drops, and the whizz of the various steel compartments of fun occupied, for two days, what will one day be the completed Festival Park on Washington's waterfront along the 3/4 mile waterfront promenade. If one studied the images, they can see the steeple of Saint Peters Episcopal Church on East Main Street: Above and below.     photos by Stan Deatherage

While some folks, mostly youngsters, enjoy the excitement of the amusements, others make their way to the music stage, where the Craig Woolard Band played Beach Music - always a favorite for some crowds: Above and then below with the band.     photos by Stan Deatherage

Washington native Craig Woolard blows the Brass, with the boys, for the big sound that made for a melodic evening for some, while others tuned up in the Beer Garden stage right: Above then below.     photos by Stan Deatherage