By Jheri Hardaway
Staff Writer
Dunn, NC - The 25th Annual Cotton Festival, presented by Harnett Health, brought out families and community leaders from around the county and beyond. The Dunn Area Tourism Authority hosted another outstanding Cotton Festival in downtown Dunn, North Carolina. The turnout demonstrated a dramatic growth from previous years. With two stages, a plethora of vendors, and rides for the children, there was plenty to see and do along the downtown corridor of Dunn, North Carolina.
The rapid growth apparent at the festival is on par with reports that Harnett County is the fifth-largest growing county in the state. As a bedroom community to Wake and Cumberland counties, and a neighbor of Johnston County, Harnett County is in a unique position. Close to the capital and Research Triangle Park, yet also a fair distance from Fayetteville’s Fort Bragg, military base, and other installations. With a growing citizenry and ever-increasing opportunities for growth and expansion in the business world, Harnett County is poised for massive development. On most major streets and on many country roads, you’ll see the names of popular home developers advertising homes $250,000 and up.
If this year‘s Cotton Fest was any indication of what’s to come, the city of Dunn will need to block off much more of downtown for future cotton festivals! The highlight of this festival was undoubtedly the community camaraderie, but also the trains. Historically, Dunn was built around natural resource trade transported via the train. The train runs all day and night and ran right through the festival on numerous occasions. Friendly conductors reached out the window and waved to the crowds. Goodness grows in North Carolina, and Harnett County is definitely demonstrating that goodness as it grows and welcomes people from all over the world into the community.
