The annual event is always the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving.
This is the only time during the year that most of the Seagrove area potters sell their reds, blues, turquoises, purples, pinks, yellows, whites, browns — and the list goes on of gorgeous colors and styles of pots — at one location.
The Festival, visitors can see more than 100 of the area’s potters and traditional craftspeople who make Seagrove’s cottage industry the largest collection of potters in the United States.
And, the festival draws loyal collectors eager to place their bids on one-of-a-kind pots, made specifically for this event. Each piece is signed and dated. A crowd favorite, the lively, highly spirited, adrenaline-rushing auction will take place on Sunday afternoon, beginning at 4 p.m.
Proceeds from the auction benefit the sponsoring organization, the Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery, in Seagrove.
Previously at the auction, one of the most popular pieces was made by Jim Havner, this year’s featured potter.
Often called the “Mud-critter man,” Havner will showcase and demonstrate his whimsical, hand-built folk art pieces. Each one tells a story.
Havner, who has been creating the miniature masterpieces for nearly 20 years, says he designs stoneware critters that show a bit of history. The old man pulling — and the old woman pushing — the wheelbarrow of pots is just one of his favorites.
“When I have a kiln opening,” he says, “I sell out in 30 minutes to collectors from all over the country. They take a number and wait outside my little shop. Hundreds of people may show up for 75 pieces.”
Havner’s shop, Down to Earth Pottery is located in Frogtown, 20 minutes south of Seagrove.
The festival offers more than pots. Some 25 craftspeople will be showcasing their talents, with tin, wood, sculpted jewelry, yarn, rug-hooking, and wrought iron and lots more. Demonstrations will be held both days.
Because the festival is based upon our heritage, two other educational demonstrations will also be located on the school’s grounds. Large Percheron draft work horses, known for their strength and large size, and an old-timey steam engine providing power for an historic shingle-making operation, will be on display. The engine is a crowd-pleaser each July at the Southeast Old Thresher’s Reunion, at the Denton FarmPark, in Denton.
And for the past few years, the Seagrove Pottery Festival has provided a fund-raising opportunity for the art department at the local elementary school.
Die-hard shoppers will want to take advantage of the early bird preview, from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Admission is $10 per person and is valid for the entire day.
Regular admission is $5 per person from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Members of the Museum of Traditional North Carolina Pottery and children under the age of 12 will be admitted free with an adult.
Food and beverages will be available. Souvenir T-shirts, ball caps, and sweatshirts with the festival logo will be on sale. A parcel check will be available to hold purchases until a visitor is ready to leave.
Seagrove Elementary School is located on School House Road, just off N.C. Highway 705. The town of Seagrove is located off I-73/74 and U.S. Highway 220, Exit 45 and is 40 minutes south of Greensboro. Follow signs to the Festival.
For more information, log onto www.seagrovepotteryheritage.
com or call the Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery at 336-873-7887 or Richard Gillson at 336-301-3515.
