03/28/2024
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By: Erin Smith

While skies were overcast and cool breeze swept over Goldston’s Beach, the 38th annual White Lake Water Festival got under way on Friday evening with the sounds of the Southern Touch Band from Kinston playing their brand of Country and Southern Rock.

Folks gathered under the main tent at Goldston’s Beach and danced or tapped their foot to the beat of the music while others strolled through the parking and viewed the classic cars on display.  The award for Best of Show for the Cruise In went to Ronald King of Hope Mills for his 2014 Chameleon Corvette.

The Corvette had a special paint job that gives the car the appearance of changing colors as it travels down the highway. King said he bought the car and had it customized in California. He said the car has about 500 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 200 miles per hour.

“I use this car as a sounding board to talk to young adults about staying in school, doing well, getting a good education and obeying their parents,” said King.

The Southern Touch Band played a variety of songs including Honky Tonk Women by the Rolling Stones, Anymore by Travis Tritt, and Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet.

The White Lake Water Festival will continue on Saturday with a pancake breakfast fundraiser for the Bladen County Firefighters Association Honor Guard from 7 until 10 a.m. at the White Lake Fire Department.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Camp Clearwater and travel down White Lake Drive and disembark at the Scotchman at US 701. The White Lake Fire Department will hold a barbecue plate fundraiser on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. Plates will cost $7 each.

Live entertainment will take place on two stages – one by the lake front and the stage under the main tent. On the lake front stage, Miss Bladenboro Haven Cashwell and Miss Bladenboro Outstanding Teen Anna Grace Allen will perform at noon. They will be followed by the Gaddis family, an Elvis tribute, the Fayetteville Christian Praise Band, and the Gaddis Girls.

Under the main tent at Goldston’s Beach, the Rivermist Band of Fayetteville will play from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. followed by the Blackwater Rhythm and Blues Band from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. and the Southern Touch Band will wind things down from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

There will also be semi-professional wrestling featured at 12:30 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. and again at 4:30 p.m. at Goldston’s Beach. There will be craft vendors and businesses with wares for purchase.

Maynard said the only postponements thus far are the lawn and garden tractor pull, the Classic Car Show scheduled for the US 701 location only. Maynard said the tractor pull and the Classic Car Show will now take place on July 24.

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