A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT adopting the caldwell county blackberry festival as the official blackberry festival of the state of north carolina.
Whereas, blackberries and blackberry products have served as a part of the heritage of Caldwell County for years; and
Whereas, to celebrate this tradition, an annual Caldwell County Blackberry Festival began in July of 2001; and
Whereas, the original festival was held at the J.E. Broyhill Park, a small municipal park in Lenoir, with the mission of promoting agricultural tourism and local traditional music and bringing together the citizens from Lenoir and surrounding communities; and
Whereas, the Caldwell County Blackberry Festival has grown from 20 vendors and 1,000 participants to 150 vendors and 10,000 visitors in six years; and
Whereas, the festival has become an important marketing and promotional tool for Lenoir, Caldwell County, and North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Caldwell County Blackberry Festival should be adopted as the official blackberry festival of the State of North Carolina; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 145‑27.  State blackberry festival.
The Caldwell County Blackberry Festival is adopted as the official blackberry festival of the State of North Carolina."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.