Ayden Collard Festival

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Ayden, NC
Ayden Collard Festival

For more info visit website at www.aydencollardfestival.com. In the early 1800s, the little community that we know as Ayden, was known as Ottertown.

Otter Dennis was a lot of things, but a gentleman he was not. He was known as a mean and ruthless man who loved nothing better than a good fight. Because of his frequent encounters with the law, Otter Dennis was forced to leave town to avoid being imprisoned. In the 1870s, as legend has it, our community got its name from its reputation. The community was known at that time as Aden, because every

criminal misfit and cut-throat who had been banned from or run out of another area came and settled here. We were known as a den of corruption, or to some, a den of thieves. At that time, the town was located about a mile and a half west of its present site, or about where Farmer’s Funeral Service is now located. About 1888 or 1889, the railroad came through this area, and its location is the same today as it was then. A man by the name of William Henry Harris laid off streets along the railroad and the town moved from its old site to its present site. At the time our community was started along the railroad, Second Street was the main street. And about this time, the town changed its name to Harrisville, a name that lasted one year. In 1890, when we were trying to get a post office and be chartered as a town, the name Harrisville was dropped and the old name of Aden was proposed by Alfred Harrington. Congressman Small, who was our representative in Washington at that time, suggested to Mr. Harrington that a “y” be placed after the “A” in Aden to help dignify the name. It was done and in 1891 we were chartered as the Town of Ayden. Ayden has made much progress through the years and continues to change with time. History of the Ayden Collard Festival

It all started in the spring of 1975, when Mrs. Lois Theuring wrote a letter to the editor of the Ayden-NewsLeader suggesting that Ayden have a festival. After considerable discussion, a committee was formed and a “festival” went into the planning stages. It was decided to let the citizens of Ayden vote on naming the festival. Six names were selected to choose from: Collard Festival; Cucumber Festival; Garden of Ayden-Almost Paradise; Harvest Festival; Progressive Ayden Day; and September Fun Festival. Ballots were printed in the local newspaper and “Collard Festival” won by a large margin. Committees were formed and Saturday September 13, 1975, was chosen for Ayden’s first Collard Festival. On that day, Ayden was the scene of a large street dance; a parade witnessed by 6,000 people; amusement rides; and booths filled with many fun activities. The Ayden Collard Festival, which is now over 30 years old, is held the first weekend after Labor Day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoTR93X62wg

01/09/2025

11/21/2024

Due to events beyond our control, our meeting tonight is cancelled!

11/15/2024

Our next meeting is Thursday, November 21 at 5:30 at the Ayden Operations Center! if you are interested in joining our committee, please fill out the form below! We'd love to have you!

Are you interested in joining and helping with our festival? Please fill out the form below and a committee member will be in touch.

10/31/2024

With Gwendy's Goodies – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

10/31/2024

With Downtown Ayden – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

10/25/2024

Come for pie day!!!

Apple pie
Lemon Meringue
Chocolate Icebox

10/25/2024

When you visit the museum on Sunday for the Fall Open House, be sure to see the 1st place winner from The Ayden Collard Festival Art Show. 2pm until 4pm.

10/25/2024

Come on out tonight!!

10/20/2024

The Ayden Collard Festival Committee is seeking new members to help us plan our 2025 Festival! There is no requirement to live in Ayden or eat collards! 😜

https://forms.gle/yaqkBnkEMZzr5dbh7

If you’re interested, please complete the form above!

09/09/2024

Give us some feedback! As we plan our next festival, we want to hear from you! Please take a few moments to complete the survey below.

09/08/2024

We hope everyone got a chance to go to the Art show this week!!! I went today finally before they closed up. It is so wonderful to see we have so many talented artists in our community. Tag yourself in the pics if you find your Artwork! Congratulations to all the winners!

09/08/2024

The Ayden Art show will be open for viewing today from 1-3! Please remember to pick up your work this afternoon from 3-5pm

09/08/2024

This year’s Collard eating contest was full of laughs and fun for all! Let’s give it up for our 2024 winners!!
Justin Pollard with 4lbs
Janice Royal with 2lbs

Address

P. O. Box 186
Ayden, NC
28513

Website

http://aydencollardfestival.com/

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