By Martha J. Henderson

Special Sections Editor

The Carthage Buggy Festival was started in 1988 as a celebration of the rich history of Carthage.

It commemorates the famous Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory that produced the carriages that were essential to life in rural North Carolina from the mid-1800s to the 1920s.

One of the biggest and best known festivals in the region, this year's 24th annual Carthage Buggy Festival, May 11 and 12, attracted thousands of visitors to the Moore County seat.

The festival offered a wide array of activities and entertainment that appealed to the entire family. Two of the most popular events are the Buggy Idol Contest and the Benefit Classic Car and Truck Show.

Styled after the -television hit "American Idol," the Buggy Idol contest -features -contestants split into four -competing age groups. Potential stars of all ages sang their hearts out to try to win over the judges and take home the top prize of being named the "Buggy Idol."

The winners of the ninth annual Buggy Idol Contest were Samantha Collins, ages 4 to 8; Charlie Taylor, ages 9 to 12; Amber Mitchell, ages 13-17; and J.R. Schrimpsher, 18 plus.

More than 100 cars and trucks were on display during the Benefit Classic Car and Truck Show at this year's Carthage Buggy Festival. The Sandhills Classic Street Rod Association (SCSRA), which sponsors the annual event, presented several awards after the show, including Best of Show.

George Bickel, of Apex, won Best of Show with a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria. The Best Chevrolet was Viola Maness, of Robbins, with a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door post; the Best Ford was Steve Chrisco, of Olivia, with a 1937 Ford 3W Coupe; the Best Mopar was Wayne Johnson, of Sanford, with a 1972 Dodge Demon; the Best Other GM or Best Truck was Bruce Denkins, of Goldston, with a 1961 Buick Invicta; the Best Truck was Raymond Brady, of Bennett, with a 1956 Ford F100; and the Ladies Choice was Wayne Russell, of Pittsboro, with a 1969 Corvette.

The SCSRA also announced that the 50/50 winner was Harold McCoy, of Chapel Hill; the Frosty was won by Rome Norris; and the raffle for $500 was won by Kevin Parsons, of Troy.

Tom Walker, a spokesperson for the SCSRA, pointed out how glad he was to see that the winners were from all over and not all local.

Carthage Buggy Festival organizers also honored -several local individuals on Saturday, including Ms. Buggy Festival and Mr. and Mrs. Pinelake and Mr. and Mrs. Tara Plantation.

Teresa Taylor was crowned Ms. Buggy Festival. Taylor was nominated for the award by her 10-year-old daughter, Mandy, a fifth-grade student at Carthage Elementary School, who wrote the letter nominating her mother for Ms. Buggy Festival.

Ted Smith and Anna Cockrum were selected to represent Peak Resources-Pinelake as Mr. and Mrs. Pinelake at this year's f-estival.

Jerry Richardson and Elizabeth Brown were -honored by the Buggy Festival as Mr. and Mrs. Tara Plantation.

Contact Martha J. Henderson at (910) 693-2476 or by email at mjhenderson @thepilot.com.