Local artists and crafters gathered around the Oglethorpe County Courthouse in Lexington on Saturday for the first time since the pandemic — but they almost didn't have power.
Linda Parish, office manager for the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce, had to do last-minute scrambling to ensure the power was turned on for the pole outside the courthouse. Georgia Power would not turn it on without an inspection, and the county inspector was not eager to come out on a Friday.
“I don’t care what day it is,” Parish said.
Thanks to the quick thinking, electricity was restored and LexFest took place on Saturday, featuring products from AI-generated art for hunters to custom woodworking. Dozens of visitors flocked to about 20 tents and tables.
With a solid electric current at his disposal, DJ Ken Mobley’s music could be heard above the wind and the sizzle of the barbecue. Mobley sang gospel and country songs including “Tennessee Whiskey'' and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” inviting others up to the mic for karaoke.
“Remember, you’re here in Lexington, Georgia, where everybody is somebody,” he said. “Hope you're having a good time. Check out all the arts and crafts, all the great food.”
Mobley, who came with his wife and son, made several such announcements, pointing out vendors such as Nebula Yarn Art and Tom Thon Photography.
Colton Smith brought a taxidermied deer head to draw attention to his new business, Smith Bros. e-Taxidermy.
Smith uses Midjourney, an artificial intelligence image generator, and Photoshop to transform photos of dead deer into artwork of the animal in the desired environment.
“It could be an Arizona mount. It could be a Euro mount,” he said. “It could just be the antlers, and it could be the deer that you just shot.”
Smith, a Lexington native now living in North Augusta, South Carolina, partnered with local deer processor Nature’s Harvest. He launched his services a month ago and has produced about 12-15 images.
“The season is just getting started, so we’re ready to amp up our business,” he said.
Long-time Lexington resident Tim Aaron of Flatwoods Southern Creations, who has done custom woodworking as a hobby for seven years, came with his products to support the community.
Aaron said he makes most of his sales on Facebook Marketplace, but decided to try something new. He said LexFest was his first craft show.
“Anything that you can think of, we can make it,” he said.
A newcomer to Oglethorpe County, photographer Suzy VanDyke, brought two of her sons and set up a small table showcasing her work. VanDyke, who does wedding and portrait photography with her husband, Lukas VanDyke, recently moved to Stephens to help a cousin renovate her farmhouse.
“Today, it’s been good. The weather is beautiful,” she said. “Everyone in Lexington is so friendly. I hope more people come, you know?”
LexFest attracted a variety of visitors — families, older couples, young people and even a few canine companions.
“I mean, anything that brings people to town is a good event,” Parish said.