A tradition for the community of Shady Valley is set to begin on Friday, Oct. 14.

The 24th annual Shady Valley Cranberry Festival provides a soothing atmosphere for residents and tourists alike according to Olan Bentley. Activities take place within the community with the hub of action taking place at Shady Valley Elementary School – located at 423 Highway 133 in Shady Valley.

“It’s really a community-driven event,” Bentley said. “It’s a chance for people to come together, spend time with family and friends, and see someone people they maybe haven’t seen in some time.”

With no charge to the public, Bentley added it was hard to nab an exact total of attendees for each year.

“The event is free admission,” he said. “But I would guesstimate around 2,000 people throughout the day, depending on the weather.”

The Nature Conservancy has also been prevalent in the community and helped highlight the event on their website. According to the organization, the “Nature Conservancy has been working in Shady Valley for more than 30 years to preserve and restore the last of the mountain bogs here. Our bog restorations have been identified as the single most important factor in the long-term protection of rare wetland species such as the bog turtle and wild cranberry.”

While focusing on the cranberries within the community, Friday’s festivities get underway at 5 p.m. with a bean supper, Bentley said at Shady Valley Elementary School. After the supper, a silent auction will be held on a variety of different donated items at the fire hall from 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 15, is when the bulk of the activities take place with the annual parade starting at 10 a.m. with the start location at Shady Valley Presbyterian Church and following through the highway toward the school grounds. Opening ceremonies get underway at 11 a.m. and Bentley added that 30 to 40 vendors, including arts and crafts and concession booths offering food and refreshments will be available.

Music will also be on tap, Bentley added, with a variety of country and bluegrass serenading attendees. Shady Valley Elementary School will take a trip through the past, Bentley added, with Indian artifacts on display, along with other items.

Star the Clown Entertainment will be onhand to provide entertainment to children, too, Bentley said.

If any individual hasn’t had a chance to see what Shady Valley has to offer, Friday and Saturday is the opportune times to see, Bentley said.

“It’s just a great fall festival,” he added. “It’s a great chance for people to see what a small community has to offer and we encourage everyone to come out and have a fun time.”

For more information, visit the Shady Valley Cranberry Festival Facebook page online.