This year’s Whole Bloomin’ Thing Spring Festival will be held Saturday, May 9, 2015 in Waynesville’s Historic Frog Level.
Local growers will furnish plenty of herbs, flowers, and trees, while artisans will provide a plethora of nature-related items. From birdhouses to baskets, and pottery to plants, this festival is the best way to jump-start the growing season.
The Haywood County Master Gardeners will be on hand to help you with any gardening questions. Musical groups will perform all day and include the Frog Level Philharmonic, Bohemian Jean, and more. There will also be wonderful food vendors to keep you in sustenance while you enjoy your day.
Parking is available at the nearby public garage on Branner Ave., at Haywood Builders, and all public parking areas. Bring your family and friends; enjoy the day with us. Admission is free; held rain or shine. Don’t forget to visit our one-of-a-kind shops in the Historic Frog Level District, open year ”round.
History of Frog Level
In 1884, the railroad came to Waynesville. The tracks were laid in a low-lying area alongside Richland Creek. Up til then, the area had little development, being mostly swampland with only a few scattered buildings. All that ended with the advent of tourism brought in by the new railway. Liveries lined up and down Commerce St. to take the visitors to their destinations as boarding houses and inns grew. Since the creek occasionally flooded when the heavy rains came, townsfolk started calling the area “Frog Level.”
The first train depot burned in 1900, but was soon replaced with another that remained standing until 1987. Up til the early ’40s, Frog Level remained the commercial center of town. Folks walked up the hill to what was then called Pleasant Hill, now downtown Waynesville.
The focus changed to Main Street when automobiles became popular and the train was no longer the main source of transportation. The last passenger train arrived in Waynesville in 1949, however, freight trains pass through Frog Level twice daily, with most trains continuing on to Sylva.
Even though the waterways were rerouted and Richland Creek no longer flooded the area, Frog Level declined for several decades as businesses came and went. However, there is one store at 244 Depot St. that has been in continuous business since it was built in 1900. Known as “The Waynesville Candy Company,” the business has been owned by the Stovall family since 1925. It served as the main distributor for the Stovalls’ 5 and 10 stores in western NC and northern Georgia in the prosperous ’30s and ’40s. It is still run by descendant Dewey Stovall today.
In 2003, Frog Level was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its contribution to the history of Haywood County and the architectural features of its buildings. It is now known for being home to Panacea, a popular coffeehouse/roaster, and Frog Level Brewing Company, noted for its “Frog Pee” brew. The area has attracted many art and antique businesses in the past few years.
The Historic Frog Level Merchant’s Association began the local annual tradition called The Whole Bloomin’ Thing Spring Festival in 2002. More than 8,000 people attend the festival which marks the beginning of the season for many locals.
Frog Level business owner and artist at the mahogany house art gallery and studios (which opened in October of 2013), t.e. siewert says, “It will be the first time many people will see what Frog Level has to offer them, and with so many art and antique businesses added, I believe they will want to return many times. There’s a nostalgic feel to the buildings and an ambiance you can’t find everywhere – it definitely leaves an impression.”
Make plans to attend The Whole Bloomin’ Thing Spring Festival and see for yourself what is so special about Frog Level!
Sponsored by the Haywood Tourism Authority, 800-334-9036, www.VisitNCsmokies.com.
If You Go: Whole Bloomin’ Thing Spring Festival, Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Waynesville’s Historic Frog Level. Visit us at Facebook.com/wholebloominfestival
