Chick-N-Pick-N Bluegrass & Country Jamboree

NORMAN – According to Town of Norman Mayor Kenneth Broadway, approximately one thousand people attended the first ever Chick-N-Pick-N Bluegrass/Country Jamboree held in downtown Norman N.C. on Saturday.

The Lord provided a most beautiful day for folks from all over to stroll around the event grounds. Some listened to the music provided by four different bands. Others walked down the rows of antique cars and tractors while others enjoyed the great food and fellowship. 

Motorcycle riders were well represented and enjoyed a fifty-mile ride around the northern end of the county, all part of the event. 

Matt Hatley and his wife, Mary, from Woodpecker Products gave live demonstrations of his wood carving art while using a chainsaw. Matt said, “I am retired but I do chainsaw art as my hobby.” He uses scrap wood such as driftwood or short pieces of wood that might have otherwise been discarded. He likes to work with cedar or Cyprus wood because they last longer. He also makes all types of wooden toys similar to those that were used many years ago. He said, “I like to show kids how to have fun with just simple wood toys from the past.” 

Elford Fox and his wife Shirley from Candor had a display of Cub Cadet riding mowers. One of the mowers was a 1968 model that was bought new by his grandfather. Another Cub Cadet mower was a 1972 that Elford had built from scratch and entered in lawnmower pulls. His third riding mower was a top-of-the-line Cub Cadet bought new by his dad in 1999. This mower even had hydraulic lift and power steering. Each of his mowers ran like a new sewing machine and you could tell Elford was sold on his Cub Cadet lawn tractors. 

Also on display at the event was a collection of locally owned farm tractors and cars. Their ages ran from new to as far back as a 1930’s model. 

Mr. Haywood Grant from Ellerbe brought several of his tractors plus an antique hit-and-miss motor-powered washing machine/butter churn/ice cream churn and meat grinder all in one. No electricity needed for this piece of equipment. 

As the evening progressed some mingled around the grounds talking while others listened to the great music coming from the four different bands that took the stage at Norman. To start the event were the Uwharrie Pickers, followed by Flint Hill Bluegrass. Then hometown girl Abigail Dowd took the stage and sang her heart out. The Rusty Rails Band finished out the evening with some good Ol’ Rock-n-roll music. 

Mayor Broadway said of the festival, “I’m pleased with the turn-out for this first-time spring event and hope we can continue with another one next year.”