The sound of thousands of thundering feet and price-haggling voices invaded the usually quiet town of historic Bell Buckle, Tennessee, over the weekend. Home to the Webb School, Bell Buckle hosted the preparatory academy’s annual arts and crafts festival on the third weekend of October, and has done so for the past 40 years.

Not only did the festival bring attention to Bell Buckle, it also allowed hundreds of craft and food vendors from a plethora of cultures and backgrounds to showcase their talents and abilities. Many of the food vendors served foreign dishes and delicacies, such as, authentic Greek gyros and Asian cuisine. There were also local food vendors; a popular one being “Mother Shuckers,” a small food business that served roasted corn on the cob at the festival which appealed to many festival-goers with its unique name and food service.

However, the food was not the main concern at this festival. The Webb School Art and Craft Festival was created 40 years ago to showcase and publicize the historic and artistic value of Bell Buckle. It was rated the top arts and crafts show in Tennessee, and housed over 500 artists, crafters, and food vendors the weekend of the show. The eclectic booths included everything from all natural, homemade soaps to antiques found in local shops and even a blacksmith who demonstrated his skills over hot coals.

Kinsley Holland, a high school senior, traveled an hour and a half to visit Bell Buckle for the first time during its busiest and most popular weekend of the year. I asked her what she thought of the festival, since it was her first time attending the event.

“I loved the Webb School Art and Craft Festival more than I thought I would,” Holland said. “Just seeing the different vendors, most coming from various heritages and backgrounds, was really cool. It was a bit of a cultural lesson.”

As years went by, the festival became more and more popular. It was not known from being widely broadcasted or advertised. Rather, it was recommended to attendees by others who had previously attended the showcase. Holland also said she would recommend going to the festival because it gave her “memories that will last [her] for a very long time,” and was glad she had the opportunity to go. She was not the only one who thought so as she left the festival Saturday afternoon with the town bustling, the sound of footsteps rumbling and full shopping bags rustling in the background.