SUNNY PLAIN -- Once again the sounds of antique farm equipment will resonate through the Sunny Plain community of Calhoun County with the 2002 Old South Fall Antique Farm Festival which revs up this weekend.

In what has become a major happening in the community, the nonprofit festival sponsored by the Sunny Plain Antique Power Association will roar to life this Friday, Nov. 8, and continue full throttle through Sunday, Nov. 10.

Otis Culclasure, co-founder of the semi-annual event with his son Rowdy, said one of the highlights will be the recognition of the Calhoun County Farmer of the Year, J.D. "Pally" Wiles, who has made major contributions to agriculture. Wiles has also served as a member of the Calhoun County Development Board.

Another major highlight will be remarks by S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Les Tindal at noon Saturday.

"The opening ceremony on Nov. 9 will be attended by Calhoun County Council Chairman David Summers and the guest speaker, S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Les Tindal," Culclasure said. "We are honored to have him."

The gates will open at 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with tractor pulls scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1:45 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

The Slow Tractor Race will be held at 10:45 a.m. Saturday and the Parade of Power is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Saturday and 11:15 a.m. Sunday.

The Kids Pedal Tractor Pull is set for noon Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

The schedule will be as follows:

-- Friday, Nov. 8 -- Entrants will be arriving in the morning and afternoon. Festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. with the bluegrass group, Dixie Dewdrops, from Neeses, followed by practice tractor pulls starting at 7 p.m. until completed.

-- Saturday, Nov. 9 -- The Antique Power Parade will start at 10:15 a.m., led off by the show cars and trucks and followed by the tractors.

At 11 a.m., the Hi-Cotton Gospel Group will perform, followed by the children's sack race and the women's frying pan toss.

At 1:15 p.m., the tractor pulls will get under way.

-- Sunday, Nov. 10 -- A church service will be led at 10 a.m. by the Rev. Lindsay Rivers. Also featured will be singers Bonnie Livingston from Pine Hill and Edward Dukes, Bill Wise and Weldon Hair.

Additional features will be a couples' egg toss, wagon rides, a petting zoo and food and craft vendors. Camping sites are available.

General admission is $5, and kids under the age of 12 get in free.

The Old South Antique Farm Festival site is located on Otis Culclasure's property on Belleville Road about a half-mile from Highway 176.

For more information about the event, call Culclasure at 803-655-7513. For campsite information, call William Haigler at 803-874-1730.

T&D Correspondent Larry P. Jordan can be reached by phone at 803-874-3276.

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