Martin, Tennessee’s annual Soybean Festival has always drawn a crowd and this year was no exception. The Grand Opening of the 2005 Soybean Festival began at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8th. Martin locals and neighboring townspeople gathered for a variety of new entertainment including bargain shopping, carnival rides and games, competitions, live music and tasty foods.

Vendors from near and far set up shop in the middle of S. Lindell St. to sell and advertise their products. Some of the more crafty products were the wooden ink pens, jewelry, purses, ceramics, sun catchers and dream catchers—all handmade. New booths this year included Stationary, Photography and Embroidery, The Pampered Chef, Name Brand Sunglasses for Less, The Jewelry Zone, Wooden Pens and More, Barbara’s Purses, and S&H Sales.

Many vendors attended the festival for the sole purpose of fundraising. The Charity Alliance Association collected money to aid in the relief efforts of the recent hurricane victims. A local massage therapist, Jean Williams, also raised money for the hurricane victims by setting up shop at the top of La Cabana and donating all of the proceeds to the Red Cross. One vendor, a cancer survivor and published author, sold copies of her newest book and donated all proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research hospital. Agape House, the local Martin pro-life center, sponsored the “Prettiest Little Bean Sprout” competition to educate the community on abortion alternatives. The Citizens Police Academy hosted a fundraiser to help aid in the education of future police officers. Martin Middle School sold chances to win an ATV Chuck wagon to raise money for their cheerleaders. And the Carl Perkins Center for child abuse attended the festival for the purposes of outreach and awareness.

Aside from toys and endless novelties, the children of Martin enjoyed a ventriloquist show, carnival rides, games and various competitions. Everyone enjoyed such tasty treats as Sodexo catered barbecue.