Skip to Content

Dirt Road Adventures: Picker’s Festival

Happy Sunday, and welcome to Dirt Road Adventures: Picker’s Festival! This is where we review all the exciting events behind the scenes, on the website, and the sources of inspiration I discovered online during the past week. This weekly recap ensures you don’t miss any of our adventures.

I hope you had a great beginning to Spring! Our weather was a little cool, and then it would warm up. I was turning the heat on in the mornings and the air conditioner by afternoon. LOL

We were hoping that the second day of Spring was going to be nice and warm because we had a plan. Although it was a cool and windy Thursday morning, we layered up and headed to the Carolina Picker’s Festival in Denton, NC. We went with high expectations of finding a few items we had been looking for.

Last September, we scored an antique dining table, so we had high hopes.

Carolina Picker's Festival Denton NC

Adventures I’ve Had This Past Week

Carolina Picker’s Festival

The vendors were there in large numbers. It’s a very interesting world, like a traveling caravan! Many of the vendors set up in front of their motor homes and brought their families and pets along for the show.

One of the first vendors that caught my eye was Chigger Hill Antiques. They had a good selection of well-curated finds that fit with my decor aesthetics. Turns out that Chigger Hill isn’t that far from where we live, and I intend to check in to their antique booth and other festivals they frequent.

On this trip my big (little) score was this concrete pig. I couldn’t resist him.

We didn’t find that one great item this year, but we had so much fun. We were able to carry all our treasures as we were leaving the festival and I’ll share all our finds under Thrifted Finds This Week at the end of today’s post.

Booth at Carolina Picker's Festival

Precious Memories

One thing that was fun was seeing items that brought back fond childhood memories.

I snapped a picture of this old apple cider press and started reminiscing about those long summer days at my aunt and uncle’s house.

Old Apple Cider Press at Carolina Picker's Festival in Denton, NC

One of my favorite memories is harvesting apples and making apple cider on a press that looked just like this one.

My uncle would drive the tractor, and we would ride on the back of a flatbed trailer to the apple orchard. Then, we would pick baskets full of apples and fill the trailer.

Once we brought the apples back, they were poured into large galvanized tubs full of water. It always felt good to wash the apples because the water cooled us off after the apple picking. I can still feel those apples bobbing around in the water.

Next, the apples were loaded into the press, and we watched as they were smashed into juice. A bucket sat at the end of the press and was filled with yummy apple cider. There may have been more processing, but all I remember is getting to take home a jug of cider, and it was the best I’ve ever had.

Brad and I both enjoyed taking a day to walk around the festival, pointing out curiosities and other items that brought back memories.

Old rusty glider at Carolina Picker's Festival

(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)


Shop Amazon’s Spring Sale: Ends March 25, 2024

Amazon sale items

Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road

This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.

We are so ready for Spring. We spent the week working on a few more outdoor projects. I’ll share those with you soon. Here’s a look back at all the blog posts from last week.

In Case You Missed It

Vintage Easter Tablescape with lambs, bunnies, vintage plates.

Thrifted Elegance: Budget-Friendly Easter Tablescape with Lambs and Vintage Finds

Looking for budget-friendly Easter Table Decoration Ideas? Check out these inexpensive, vintage finds, DIY, Easter ideas and inspiration. This year’s decorated Easter table is filled with Easter lambs and vintage thrifted dishes to create an elegant, stylish table setting. Today, I’ll share all the tips and details to create your own stunning Easter Tablescape.

READ MORE

Easy DIY Herb Drying Rack.. Vintage Pantry Door.

Rustic reclaimed Wood Easy DIY Herb Drying Rack

Love fresh herbs but hate wasting them when the season ends? This easy DIY herb drying rack, made from reclaimed wood, is the perfect solution! In less than an hour, you can quickly build this budget-friendly hanging rack and begin preserving your homegrown herbs or flowers. The rustic reclaimed wood will add charm to your kitchen while allowing you to enjoy herbs year-round.

READ MORE

Dried Flower Arrangement with Hydrangeas concrete planter centerpiece.

Create Easy Dried Flower Rustic Hydrangea Centerpiece

Bring rustic charm to your home with everlasting beauty! This easy-to-follow tutorial will show you how to create a stunning dried flower arrangement perfect for any style home. Learn how to dry flowers to create an affordable rustic centerpiece. With proper care, dried hydrangeas can maintain their beauty for months or even years, making them a cost-effective and sustainable option for floral arrangements.

READ MORE

Architectural Salvaged ceiling tins displayed over farmhouse door.

25 + Repurposed Architectural Salvage Ideas: Budget Vintage Decor& More

Looking to add a touch of character to your home decor? Salvage architecture is a budget-friendly way to add unique style with easy DIY options. Repurposed architectural salvage can be incorporated into your home design and used for many vintage decorating ideas. These 25 + architectural decorating ideas will unleash your creativity and help you to transform architectural salvage into conversation-starting pieces for your one-of-a-kind home!

READ MORE

Recycle Vintage picture frame. Vintage picture frame with church painting hanging on shiplap farmhouse wall.

19 Ways To Up-Cycle Vintage Picture Frames

Don’t throw out those old picture frames until you read this. One of my favorite collections is old vintage frames. There are many ways to incorporate them into your home decor, including using them as picture frames. You will love these 19 creative ways to reuse old picture frames and the best news is you can find them cheap at thrift stores.

READ MORE

Krylon spray paint and thrifted vase for Easy DIY makeover.

Paint It: Easy Thrift Store Makeovers for Beginners

If you love to see before-and-after makeovers but are not sure how to do it, you are in the right place. Today, you will learn easy paint ideas that will completely transform a cheap thrift store find. A simple new paint job can update tired and unwanted decor into stylish home accents. Learn some of my best thrifting tips, and you will be able to turn thrifted items into useable home décor that you will proudly display.

READ MORE

Adventures Off The Dirt Road

Why Didn’t I Think of That?

There are so many wonderful blog posts each week, and I’m sharing some of my favorites with you today.

There are so many creative ideas, and I’m always asking myself, “Why didn’t I think of that”? LOL

Thrifted Finds This Week

As I shared earlier, our thrifted haul this week was small. However, these cute pieces will all find a home here at the Farmhouse.

The two iron lanterns will get a quick paint job, and the tiny copper pot will be refreshed.

The concrete pig is my favorite find, and I’m not sure where I’ll put him yet. The little bunny was only $2.00, and I couldn’t resist adding her to my collection.

Thrift Store Haul from Carolina Picker's Festival

What’s in my Cart

Y’all know that Amazon Spring Sale is in full swing. There are so many items that I’ve added to my cart, and you can see some of my favorites. Just click here for My Amazon Storefront (Spring Sale).

Here are a few things that are on their way to my house.

See all my favorites at the Spring Sale.

I hope you have the best week, and I look forward to sharing my next adventures with you.

CoCo

Tuesday 26th of March 2024

This festival looks like so much fun, Rachel. I love the mix of vintage and antique items too. It's like they have something for everyone. I love all the things you brought back home. Especially, the pig. It's such a special reminder of the day. Thanks so much for sharing my side table makeover. It's small but it's been a huge help in our reading nook. Big hugs, CoCo

Rachel

Wednesday 27th of March 2024

CoCo, I am so glad that you enjoyed this post. I love sharing your creative ideas.

Diana

Sunday 24th of March 2024

I love that little pig and the bunny is cute too. I hope you keep the pig the same color he is adorable.

Rachel

Monday 25th of March 2024

Diana, Yes, I agree. I love him just as he is. Thanks for stopping by.

Wendy McMonigle

Sunday 24th of March 2024

Looks like a fun day Rachel. Love the little pig and your beautiful memories of Apple pressing. Thx for sharing my Easter table.

Rachel

Monday 25th of March 2024

Wendy, You are so welcome. Have a great week.

Kim | Shiplap and Shells

Sunday 24th of March 2024

I wish we had a Picker's Festival like this where we live. I can't believe all the amazing things. As always, I loved all the fun projects you shared this week on the blog Rachel. Thank you for sharing my post about spring bulbs. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead sweet friend.

Rachel

Monday 25th of March 2024

Kim, It's a unique festival that is for sure. Thanks for stopping by.