This upcoming Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 10-11) brings the 20th–annual Shelby Iron Works Festival at the Shelby Iron Works Park.

In addition to the historical significance of the event and the family events, there is one element not to be missed- the vendors.

Organizer Archie Trim has been hard at work bringing in some interesting and alluring vendors to the event.

While he himself is excited about the sorghum syrup mill, he also is proud to have some new retailers in the mix.

When I spoke with Trim, he was in the midst of nailing down vendors for this weekend’s event and spots were going fast. After a slow start, Trim saw an increase in vendor interest in last weeks.

“It’s like someone opened the flood gates,” Trim said in regards to the interested vendors he received two weeks ago.

A man selling Indian wares was one of the first vendors on the list and will be one of the largest displays at the festival.

Another vendor is sure to be a hit with Alabama and Auburn goods for sale.

A local vendor in the mix comes from Maylene and will be selling jewelry and home goods.

Trim has shook up the workings of the festival and hopes to raise more money this year than in years past.

The 80 year-old go-getter is working with his wife on the project who will be running the kitchen behind the scenes.

Trim was particularly excited to hear from a new vendor for this year’s festival that will sell flutes that he constructs on-site.

Other vendors will offer antiques, knickknacks and crafts for the shopping pleasure of the festival-goers.

Trim added, “The vendors are of course an attraction, but you cannot miss the opportunity to meet and speak with the old guys at the festival. They are a wealth of information, that won’t be around forever.”

Trim will be working an information table at the festival and also selling tickets to the hay rides and rail motor car rides. Tickets will be a dollar each.

Thanks to Trim and his wife’s efforts, this year’s Shelby Iron Works Festival is sure to be a success as long as the rain holds out!

More information about Shelby Iron Works and the festival is on their Web site Shelbyironworks.com. The event is October 10th and 11th and is free to the public.

Jessica Vance can be reached by e–mail at jvance86@hotmail.com.