| The Rhododendron Festival, Inc, (RFI) was born out of the ashes of other attempts to bring the residents of Bakersville and the area into a common action and goal. With the success of the first Christmas Parade and the first street festival citizens soon realized that a few could do a lot. As a result, the Rhododendron Festival Committee was formed and now has upwards of forty members. A mission was identified and the committee began its work.
With the timely involvement of the Small Towns Project and HandMade in America, Bakersville has leaped to the forefront in Western North Carolina small towns.
The RFI, through its many efforts with the town of Bakersville and HandMade in America has been responsible for three quarters of a million dollars in grants. These efforts have brought new businesses, new jobs, a clean-up campaign, and a renewed sense of pride to "our town." |
