Variety will be the name of the game when it comes to the vendors who will be hawking their wares during the 24th annual Carthage Buggy Festival, Saturday, May 12.

There will be no -shortage of items to look at, admire and -purchase during the popular family-fun event, from homemade soaps and salts to birdhouses and much more.

Festival organizers are expecting more than 125 vendors, including both food and arts and crafts booths, guaranteeing that there is something for everyone.

The wares available will range from homemade dog treats and hand-thrown pottery to tie-died clothing, floral arrangements and garden flags.

Buggy Festival organizers say they purposely try not to offer too much of the same thing, -preferring to have -vendors that offer a little bit of everything.

If you are a -shopaholic, satisfying your shopping fancy will not be a problem. Handmade wreaths, painted gourds and wood trash bins, -rocking chairs and tables will be in -abundance as will -handmade leather belts and much more.

The eclectic assortment of merchandise available from the -vendors at the Carthage Buggy Festival also will include handmade iron yard signs and decorations, metal art made from scrap metal and more.

If you find yourself at the Carthage Buggy Festival and you still haven't bought Mom the perfect gift for Mother's Day, you are sure to find just what she wants from one or more of the vendor booths. Books, note cards and Christmas ornaments are just a few of the items that are sure to appeal.

A gift collection based on harvested lavender bushes would provide a chance to pamper Mom or yourself -luxuriously.

There will be face painting for the young and the -young-at-heart to enjoy.

The Wildlife Rescue Center, of Sanford, will have -several birds, including a red-tailed hawk, a barred owl, a black vulture, a great horned owl, a Mississippi Kite and two Eastern screech owls, on display. The group will be set up on the lawn of the historic courthouse.

Throughout the day, Wildlife Rescue Center volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions festival-goers may have about the rescued birds and animals or the organization.

For those wanting something to -commemorate the 24th annual Carthage Buggy Festival, event organizers will have a booth set up next to the -entertainment stage where you'll find a large assortment of festival T-shirts, caps and license plates.

If you are a vendor who is interested in having a booth at the festival, there are still some spaces available. Call (910) 947-2231 or e-mail ktohara@nc.rr.com.