LITTLETON — Every year around Labor Day, the community of Littleton rolls out the red carpet and puts on a festival like no other ... and people come from all around to enjoy it.

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It’s the annual Littleton-Lake Gaston Festival. The two-day festival starts with a Friday night street dance. With this year’s band, the Castaways, it was a great time to socialize, dance and enjoy a night on the town.

Saturday, everyone gathered in the square for kiddy rides, midway food, a barbecue contest, one of the biggest car shows in this area, lots of great music and vendors offering every kind of ware you can imagine.

The Littleton-Lake Gaston Festival is an event to be experienced, savored and remembered.

Paul Johnson walked slowly through the row after row of antique cars at the Stray Cats Car Show behind the BB&T. “His Horn Went, Beep! Beep! Beep!” played as background music for the elderly gentleman, as he stopped, rubbed his chin and smiled as he gazed at the pristine engine on the vintage Ford before him. He spoke in a slow Southern drawl, which belied his roots. “I like these ‘mopars.’ When I have a big Ford in front of me, I like it,” he said. “These boys did a good job.” Further down, Tony and Brian Morris discussed schematics for a ’71 Nova they were admiring. Meanwhile, Jim Hahm rolled up in his lemon chiffon 1955 T-Bird. “I’ve had it forever, but I’ve been working on it for the past two years,” he said. “This is her first time out.” He patted her hood gently and smiled.

Saturday was a laidback, bright day for the festival.

Nichole and Mark Hill struggled to put a little sunblock on their baby son Chandler. He squirmed in Nichole’s arms. “We come in from Goldsboro every year,” said Nichole. “This is little man’s second year,” said Mark.

The Littleton Women’s Club had their sidewalk cafe again this year. All sorts of goodies and a moment of shade enticed the crowds to sit briefly and breath before they made their way from the main sidewalk to the car show.

In town square, people gathered with their lawn chairs to listen to the music, occasionally leaving their seats to wander to the midway for a funnel cake, barbecue, hot dog, a drink or some other treat begging to be consumed. “I come here every year,” said Arnetta Lashley. When asked why, she said, “For the food, of course,” adding the kids enjoy it a lot.

Further down, vendors lined the streets with handmade everythings you could think to want, while the kids jumped and whirled and spun and slid on the various rides nearby.

“My brother is just down the street,” said Dale Lepiarz. “He makes handmade furniture.” Joe, Dale’s brother, indeed was just a short distance away. His heavy wood furniture, cabinets and wine racks beckoned to be admired. “I do a lot of work on the lake,” he said.

“It’s my first time at the festival. I love it!” Plants, wind chimes, books and jewelry also lined the street. Michael, the caricature artist stood watching the people pass by. His eyes focused on this face and that as they walked along. A lady sat down in his chair. He picked up his pen and began to sketch.

“I love working with this festival,” said one of its coordinators, Heidi Hogan. She was busy with paperwork at the Republican Party booth near the sidewalk. “The real coordinator is Quinton Qualls. He knows everything about the festival. But I love working with this festival because it always runs smoothly. I’ve never seen a festival where so many people are nice to each other.” “It’s volunteerism at it’s best,” said Ron Skow from beside her.

When asked if there was anyone she needed to thank she said, “You know who we need to thank? Everybody, for coming.”