Frequently Asked Questions

Q. WHY IS SANFORD A GREAT PLACE FOR A POTTERY FESTIVAL?

A. Location, location, location. Sanford is “well-centered” in the heart of N.C. near the geographic center of the state. It is surrounded on all sides by large and affluent communities and is easy to reach on great roads. Once you get to Sanford, GPS the location or simply follow the helpful directional signs.

Q. I LOVE POTTERY, BUT HOW CAN I BE SURE I WILL LIKE THIS FESTIVAL?

A. Fifty-thousand North Carolinians probably are not wrong. That is the number of people residing outside Sanford that have attended one or more of our events. People living in over 5,000 households in Lee County have attended. Our state takes its pottery very seriously. The aim of our show is to bring together the best selection of pottery in the state.

Q. WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SEE AND DO IN SANFORD?

A. Many people who visit the Pottery Festival also go to Downtown Sanford. It is well worth a visit. The interesting brick architecture downtown reflects Sanford’s status as “the brick capital of the USA.” The town grew around its railroad tracks. “Depot Park” in Historic Downtown Sanford is a wonderful place to visit. Children love playing on the authentic steam locomotive there that was used for decades to pull the train between Sanford and nearby Broadway, another municipality in Lee County.

Downtown Sanford is a great place to shop for antiques, find a restaurant, coffee bar or wine bar. There are other specialty shops, in addition to over 25,000 square feet of antiques to browse.

The Temple Theatre will be presenting Sanford's newest Holiday tradition, an original musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol." This show is an original production created especially for Temple Theatre which includes the traditional story of Scrooge, ghosts and life-changing decisions. The production showcases traditional Christmas songs as well as new songs written exclusively for this original production. "A Christmas Carol" will be shown December 1-18.
* For more information please visit: www.templeshows.com.

Q. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
SEAGROVE POTTERY AND SANFORD?

A. The “Seagrove Area Potteries” is defined by state law to include Randolph, Moore, Montgomery, Chatham and Lee Counties. Sanford is in Lee County. Richard Gillson, who created the Seagrove Pottery Festival almost thirty years ago, encouraged Sanford to produce its own festival to help promote the Seagrove Area in the Triangle. The Seagrove and Sanford Festivals work together closely. The Sanford Festival welcomes as many “Seagrove Area” potters as wish to participate, but it draws most of its exhibitors from all over our state and beyond.

Q. IS THERE MORE THAN POTTERY AT THIS FESTIVAL?

A. Very much so. About twenty percent of booths are reserved for non-pottery traditional arts and crafts. This includes jewelry, leather craft, wood work, handmade soaps, clothing accents, kaleidoscopes, artisan chocolates, sweat breads and a growing selection of gourmet items.

Q. WHEN DID THE FESTIVAL ADD A WINE TASTING EVENT?

A. In 2009, the pottery festival created “A Celebration of N.C. Wines.” Visitors received a special SPF wine glass and could sample a few wines from a selection of dozens. Then, they could purchase by the glass, bottle or case. Many choose to purchase a bottle, open it on site and share it with friends. The Wine Tasting turned out to be very successful. People must be 21 and older to take part in the wine tasting. Admission to the Sanford Pottery Festival Christmas Show is $5. Admission to the Wine Tasting during the Christmas Show is only $5 more.

Q. WHAT ABOUT PARKING? HANDICAP PARKING?

A. There is plenty of free parking on paved lots at the high school across one street from the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center and the large community college across the other. Handicap parking is available in front of the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.

Q. DO VISITORS BRING CHILDREN TO THIS FESTIVAL?

A. Considering that there are so many breakable items on display, a surprisingly large number of children attend. This is a family-oriented event. Children 16 and under are admitted free, so it’s easy on the wallet. Some children also take to shopping for pottery to purchase as Christmas gifts for family and friends.

Q. HOW DO WE GET TICKETS?

A. Admission to the Pottery Festival is only $5. Admission to the Wine Tasting Event is only $5 more. It is best to bring cash and simply pay at the gate upon admission to each event.

Q. WHAT DO WE DO IF WE NEED TO LEAVE TO GET LUNCH?

A. If you need to leave for lunch, simply get your hand stamped to return later that day.

Q. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MILITARY APPRECIATION?

A. Anybody who can show a valid Military ID, active or retired, is invited to attend the Pottery Festival for free and bring an adult guest. Since children 16 and under are admitted free, this is extremely family friendly for military families. We are asking people to spread information about this to friends and family who need to know. Over 500 attended our first Christmas Show in December 2010 on the Military Appreciation Pass. They were very appreciative and asked us to do it again and make sure that more people knew about it.