SMITHFIELD – The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) announced the winner of the artwork contest for the 38th Annual Ham & Yam Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 4th, 10am-7pm in Historic Downtown Smithfield, NC.
“Congratulations to our Ham and Yam artist winner, Mariyah Allen. Her design will be on all the Ham and Yam t-shirts. Make sure to stop by The Hastings House (S. Front & E. Johnston Streets) during the Ham and Yam Festival to purchase one”, announced John Bilott, President, DSDC board.
Mariyah is a South Johnston High School student who submitted her artwork for this year’s Ham & Yam Festival. The contest was open to high school students throughout Johnston County, and as the winner she received $300 from the DSDC. Commemorative posters of the winning artwork will be on sale during the festival at The Oak City Collection store, which is located along S. Third Street.
This year’s festival will have over 200 vendors, non-profit organizations, and commercial businesses for festival-goers to visit along the streets of Downtown Smithfield. Enjoy artisan vendors, farm goods, bakeries, food trucks, a boat show, bounce houses, and pony rides. Visitors will have plenty of ham and yam foods to enjoy as well (aka, we really mean sweetpotatoes).
“Did we mention live music? Come relax at our beautiful new Neuse River Amphitheater or check out what’s happening on the Third Street Stage. Both will be jamming out with some great bands. Make sure to stop for BBQ cooked by Smithfield’s own Fire Department, and of course don’t miss the famous Kiawana’s tent selling ham biscuits with locally cured country ham by Stevens Sausage”, continues Bilott.
Music schedule for the festival:
Neuse River Amphitheater
10:00am – 11:15am Bailey Morrison
11:30am – 1:00pm Tony Jonez
1:30pm – 3:00pm Mickey Mills and Steel
3:30pm – 5:00pm RT Johnson Band
5:30pm – 7:00pm Tuesday’s Gone
Third Street Stage
10:00am – 10:45am Johnston Co Choir
11:00am – 11:30am Spartan Thunder
11:30am – 12:00n SSS Jazz Band
12:30pm – 2:00pm Mr Smooth and the Lowlanders
2:30pm – 4:30pm The WEJ
5:00pm – 7:00pm The Allison Radcliff Band
Additional information about attending this year’s festival and general info on visiting Smithfield is available on the website: www.hamandyam.com; or call John Bilott at (984) 222-9692. The Ham & Yam Festival is organized by the nonprofit Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, which is primarily funded by a Municipal Service District (MSD) and the Town of Smithfield.
