Hiddenite Celebration held September 27

By ANGELA FARR KING

The fourth Saturday in September is typically a busy festive day in the small community of Hiddenite. It is designated each year as the day for the annual Hiddenite Celebration of the Arts and it is a time for this community to come together and celebrate their rich heritage. This was the 44th year for this celebration, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid Pandemic and 2024 due to Hurricane Helene. This year did seem a little bit sweeter due to the cancellation of it last year.

The true centerpiece of Hiddenite is definitely the Lucas Mansion, which is where the opening ceremony for the Hiddenite Celebration took place on Saturday, September 27. R.Y. and Eileen Sharpe purchased the mansion in 1981 and established the Hiddenite Center there. The Lucas Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 so it was fitting that the official beginning of the celebration should start at this beautiful home under the gazebo.

Some festivities were already underway before the opening ceremony. The line dancers from the Senior Center were entertaining guests at the gazebo dressed in red. Craft booths and food vendors were set up along Hiddenite Church Road in Hiddenite and people were already strolling the street looking for handmade items and delicious treats.

The ceremony began with the presentation of colors by the Junior ROTC from Alexander Central High School under the leadership of Master Chief Scott Haas. The National Anthem was played on the bagpipes by Melanye Brennan. Two fifth graders from Hiddenite Elementary School, Raelyn Rowe and Baylee Baker, then rang the opening ceremony bell and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kara Smith, the Executive Director of the Hiddenite Center, welcomed guests to the 44th Hiddenite Celebration of the Arts. She read a letter from the County Commissioners congratulating her and her staff on 125 years of the Lucas Mansion calling it a “beloved landmark.” She then said, “Let the celebration begin.”

There are areas of the Hiddenite celebration that allow a person to take a step back in time to see a blacksmith in action or someone wearing clothes from the 19th century telling about the process of breadmaking. There are woodcarvers, quilters, and musicians playing old fashioned gospel music.

There were also present day community members at the celebration who were there to support Hiddenite and give out information. The Alexander County library staff was there as well as the Sheriff Explorer Program. Sheriff Chad Pennell was also at the event. Appalachian State University had a strong presence there with their Mobile Earth and Environmental Science Lab and their African Dance Ensemble.

People stood in line to buy delicious and familiar treats made by locals, such as fried apple pies, egg rolls, barbecue, ham biscuits, and freshly squeezed lemonade.

One of the highlights for visitors was being able to tour the newly renovated second floor of the Lucas Mansion, which is used as an art gallery. All of the carpet has been stripped away from the floor down to its original 1915 wooden floors. There had been carpet on plywood on the walls. That is also gone and has been replaced with sheetrock painted in a beautiful light cream color. This makes the newly stained wooden trim appear even more beautiful. Director Kara Smith noted that the glass french doors and single door had been covered as well and now they allow light to flow into the gallery. The current art on display in the gallery are several interpretations of the Lucas Mansion in a variety of different media. These are permanent items owned by the Hiddenite Center and it is interesting to see the variety of interpretations of the Lucas Mansion.

Allison Houchins, the Director of Education and Gallery Curator for the Hiddenite Center, said that there are other exciting changes to come for the second floor. The grand opening of a “hands on” gem collection with integrated learning stations is slated to open December 5th. There will be microscopes available to examine the gems, which have all been shared by private collectors. Allison shared that they will also be revealing a recent donation of a 1,600 pound gemstone that was found locally. She noted that it is not an emerald, although those have been found locally. She said it is too heavy for the second floor, but will be located somewhere in the Lucas Mansion. It will be revealed on December 5 as well.

The annual Hiddenite Celebration of the Arts is always a family friendly day full of wholesome activities, local foods, handmade crafts, and a look back in time. This year was no different and that’s a good thing.