Autumn with Topsail celebrates island community

Sometime in the course of this past summer, Barry Newsome, president of the Topsail Island Historical and Cultural Art Council (that’s TIHCAC for short), declared that the 18th annual Autumn with Topsail event would finally pay off the lease for the Assembly Building.

Now it’s time to see if Newsome’s prediction will come true, as Topsail Beach and TIHCAC prepare for the 2006 installment of Autumn with Topsail this Saturday and Sunday in front of the aforementioned building, named because it was once a missile construction facility.

"I hate to use numbers, because if you don’t reach that then people are disappointed," Newsome said, referring to the exact figures left on the Assembly Building’s lease. "But if the festival does as well as it has in recent years, we’ll be within striking range."

The landmark serves as both a community building for the island’s southernmost town and as the site of the Missiles and More Museum, which outlines the building’s past as well as some other interesting tidbits from the island’s rich history -- from pirates to Camp Davis.

The Assembly Building also serves as the backdrop to the event, which features live music, food vendors, children’s activities (indoors and out) and a juried art show that will feature 55 different artists competing in three categories. This weekend also marks the last open house for both the Sea Turtle Hospital and the Missiles and More Museum.

Each morning will begin with a Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast, a longstanding tradition, from 7:30 to 10. Afterward, the artists’ booths open and everything else gets underway at 11. On Saturday, the musical acts will include the Sea Pans steel drum/reggae ensemble and local D.J. Clint Spell. Sunday afternoon will feature local faves the Craig Woolard Band and a visit from Miss North Carolina Elizabeth Horton, a High Point native.

Throughout the days, children will be able to have arts and crafts time inside the Assembly Building or enjoy inflatables and a bungie jump outside. Adults can enjoy a beer and wine garden, with Duplin Winery once again coming to town for the oenophiles. J.C.’s Barbecue, a Kiwanis hotdog wagon and Surf City’s Domino’s and Dairy Queen will also be selling food.

Newsome said that, weather permitting, there could even be a dunk booth this year, with local politicos and celebrities taking turns on the perch.

While all the activities are underway, artists from across the state will be displaying their wares. Tim Horner, who coordinated the art show with his wife Gerry, said that the primary qualification for entry in the show was that the art must be self-produced. Beyond that, Horner said, he asks advice from area artists like Ivey Hayes or Tom Bradford to help narrow down the selections. And a local theme ruins through this party of Autumn with Topsail as well.

"I like to se a lot of local artists, or at least waterfront or oceanfront work," he said. "I like to see a pastoral [scene], but that’s not really what Topsail Beach and Surf City are about."

From paintings to pottery to folk art, the 55 artists will compete for cash prizes, awarded at midday on Saturday. Joyce Howell of the Pender County Arts Council will bring judges to select first through third place in three categories: two-dimensional work (paintings and photographs), three-dimensional work (ceramics and sculpture) and crafts (jewelry and wearables). The artists will also have their work on display for purchase.

"These aren’t big names on the international art scene; they pay for their art," Horner said. "When you buy a piece of their art, you are helping them carry on with their hobby, past time or in some cases, their profession."

Autumn with Topsail will be held Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until evening and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Topsail beach. Admission is $3; ages 12 and under get in free. For a full schedule, visit www.AutmnWithTopsail.com.