The noon time ceremony always has a patriotic theme. Pictured is John Hopkins, RET, and an honored Blue Star Mother. This year's theme is "Flying High With Freedom." Spring means it is Sparkleberry Country Fair time again. This year the 11th annual Sparkleberry Country fair will be held on Saturday, April 29, from 9:30 am to 5 pm, at the Clemson Sandhill Research and Development Center at the corners of Clemson and Two Notch Roads Entrance is from Clemson Road. Parking is $2.

Each year the fair gets larger; so last year, the fair's layout changed to meet growth needs. The concept is to keep the vendors and other events on both sides of the roadways. This year street names will help to make the map easier to read and fair marshals to help you find that special attraction you are looking for and answer your questions. The "growth" also includes an increase in the number of people attending the fair, plus the number of sponsors, food and craft vendors, exhibits, activities and demonstrations available to the fair goers.

The fair planners want to thank everyone who has made our successes past and present possible. We are proud of the great variety offered each year to the public. There are so many things to do this year that you could spend the entire day and still might miss something. This year the number of stages providing all day live entertainment increases from two to three. One stage will feature bands, another will showcase the schools and the third will feature other acts and demonstrations.

This year the Richland County Master Gardeners have added new features to their Garden Market Plant Sale. They have added five twenty to thirty minute informative workshops throughout the day.

There will also be activities for the younger crowd. Hands on activities will be available throughout the day. You may also bring a soil sample to be tested by Clemson Extension. The cost is $6 per soil sample.

Schedule for Sparkleberry Country Fair

10 am

Don Carter

"Questions & Answers for Home Gardeners"

11 am

Karlann Brenner

"Growing Tomatoes"

Noon

Cindy Coombs

"Water Gardening"

1 pm

Val and Bunny Hutchison "Composting"

2 pm

Don McInnes

"So you've got problems: the answers to your lawn, landscape, garden and pest control questions."