Autumn with Topsail returns this weekend

Although the summer season is over in Pender and Onslow Counties, the festival season never ends. The fun will continue this weekend with the annual celebration known as Autumn with Topsail.

As is usually the case with local festivals, proceeds will be going towards a worthy cause. In this case, the money will go towards maintenance of the historic Assembly Building, which, for those of you who don't already know, was used during Operation Bumblebee as a rocket assembly program during the late ‘40s.

Autumn with Topsail returns each year on the third weekend in October. Festivities will begin on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and the fun will not stop until Sunday afternoon. Returning Festival Co-chairs Gary and Paula Rowland are sure excited for another year of fall celebration.

"This is the twentieth year for Autumn with Topsail, and we're the only one left that still takes place on Topsail Island. This year, we have 75 vendors - so many we couldn't take any more applications since there's only so much room. We also have 150 volunteers that are taking care of things," said Gary Rowland.

Tickets to the festival are just three dollars per day and free for children under 12 and for military members with a valid ID. No pets are allowed except for certified service animals. The festival will take place on Anderson Boulevard (NC Hwy 50E) and Flake Avenue, adjacent to the grounds of the historic Assembly Building.

"The success of the festival is due to the chairs of the committees. They have been wonderful. It's going to be come one come all!" said Rowland. "This year the bands are getting to play later than they ever have. And anybody who wants to throw in a prayer for good weather, I will be beholden to you!"

For more information on the Assembly Building or Operation Bumblebee, contact The Historical Society of Topsail Island at P.O. Box 2645, Surf City, N.C. 28445.

Autumn with Topsail schedule:

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

Saturday 7:30 to 10 a.m.

Sunday 8 to 10 a.m.

Artist Court Schedule

Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Food Court Schedule

Saturday 11 a.m to 9 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Entertainment Schedule

Saturday 12 to 3 p.m.

Mr. BigStuff

Who does he think he is? Actually Mr. BigStuff is not a "he" but a "they." This Jacksonville based band will spend three hours playing all of your 1980s pop favorites from bands like The Go-Go's, The Cure, A Flock of Seagulls, and Roxette. Even though the music will be enough to take you back, the band goes a step further by making sure their stage outfits match the time, as well.

Saturday 3 to 5 p.m.

The InterACTive Theater of Jef

Who is Jef? Unfortunately, he can't tell you - at least not with words, since he is a mime! But Jef isn't just a mime; he also incorporates masks, juggling and games into his act. The other thing he incorporates into the act could be you! Since Jef doesn't confine himself to just the stage, the entire festival grounds will be where he shows his stuff. Look for him to incorporate unsuspecting festivalgoers into participating in his act. Whether he's making having people help him create a new mask or having them be parts of his other antics, Jef is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Saturday 5 to 8 p.m

The Catalinas

If you know beach music, then you know the Catalinas. From this state, but known around the nation, this Statesville based band has been winning over audiences for over 50 years.

Although they'll be playing an autumn festival, you will certainly recognize them when they play their biggest hit "Summertime's Calling Me."

Sunday 1 to 4 p.m

Jim Quick and Coastline

Southern, southern, southern! Whether it's slide guitars or a horn section any instrument coming from this band will have the sound of the South. This band that rarely stops touring will wrap the music portion of Autumn with Topsail for new fans and their most dedicated fans - the Coastline Crazies!