Staff Writer

CROSS KEYS - Not far from the noise of the dirt bikes and ATVs folks will hear different sounds on April 12 - like folks turkey calling and music as they dance to the turkey strut.

The Cross Anchor Community Club and the Cross Keys/Sedalia Community Club will host a Turkey Strut and Chicken Pickin' Festival from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. at the Cross Keys Ball Field on Highway 49.

The festival will be held on the same day as the annual Big Buck GNCC Cross-Country races, which attract thousands of racers and spectators to Union County.

Proceeds from the festival will go to the community clubs and the Cross Keys and Cross Anchor fire departments.

Kathy Stone, president of the Cross Keys/Sedalia Community Club, said a portion of the money raised will go to help pay for two community welcome signs that are being installed at a cost of $4,000 each. One is located on the Bombing Range Road and the other at the Cross Keys House.

The festival will be a day of fun for the entire family and festival organizers are hoping some of those attending the race will visit the festival. Admission is free.

“We are looking for business vendors and craft vendors,” Mrs. Stone said. “The cost is $50 for them.”

Mrs. Stone said food vendor slots are taken. The Cross Keys/Sedalia club will sell barbecued chicken drummetts, boiled peanuts, deep fried corn, fries and chicken lips - chicken strips cut up and deep fried.

Other vendors will sell funnel cakes, tropical fruit shaved ice, smoothies, fish sandwiches and fish plates, hot dogs, pinto beans with hushpuppies and onions, barbecued turkey sandwiches, smoked turkey legs, cheeseburgers, ribs and tenderloins.

Jack Roper, a Union native, longtime WSPA TV personality and co-host of “Your Carolina with Jack & Kimberly” will appear at 2 p.m.

Events planned include live music, karaoke, a silent auction, old time carnival games, prizes, an obstacle course, turkey-calling contest, a bird leg contest (the ugliest legs) and an opportunity to learn the turkey strut dance.

The festival will feature a baking contest - those interested may log in to the web page, http://cacc.clubspaces.com for details.

For more information on the festival, call (864) 969-2838 or (864) 427-5080 or visit the web page.