Folk art celebrated at Whirligig Festival in Wilson

The family-friendly community arts festival, which set attendance records last year, celebrates the arts, specifically the whimsical, wind-driven whirligigs -giant sculptures made from recycled industrial parts by local folk-artist Vollis Simpson, who died in 2013.

Families enjoy arts and crafts, three live entertainment stages, more than 200 vendors, food and beverage including a beer garden, non-profit organizations, and the free Whirli-Kidz Zone. There is also a Touch-A-Truck area.

The festival comes a few days after the Thursday grand opening of the new downtown Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, a one of a kind art park to celebrate its namesake and act as a home for his many creations.