BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

About 500 people attended the inaugural Charles Fest on Saturday, beginning what organizer Kevin Robertson hopes will become an annual tradition in the northern Iredell County community.

The event was held on the Robertsons’ farm, which the host was happy to share for the day.

“We are good stewards of what the Lord has blessed us with,” Robertson shared. “This event was a vision the Lord gave me just a short two months ago. It allowed folks to gather and fellowship and enjoy the slower paced life for the day.”

The festival included entertainment from M.C. Jim Scruggs and music from the “Charles Classics” band.

Also included were antique and garden pulling tractors, a bouncy house, and craft and food vendors.
The 25 vendors included Cookieboy Catering, Mason’s Ice Cream, Mista D Shaved Ice, and Chika Tikas Loaded Fries.

Children enjoyed the playground provided by Little Hands Preschool, while parents and others socialized with friends and neighbors.

Robertson said he looks forward to hosting more community events throughout the year with Charles Fest returning in the spring.

“We are trying to preserve this great community and leave it better than we found it for the next generations to enjoy too,” he said.

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