Hi Ken and Suzanne, 
Sure... no problem! Blythewood is located between Oakhurst Ave and Hwy 34, two blocks south of the IGA. Hope to see you there! 

Hello all,
Very much enjoyed reading your site. Sorry that I've not yet been able to catch up with the KUDZU FESTIVAL. This year I just couldn/t make it there because of previous schedule. Do put me on your mailing list, will you?  I'm not trying to find medical research on Kudzu about its use in Alcoholism. Lord knows we've got enough of it to cure every one of our Uncle Bill's friends, hey!
Thanks again for a newsy site.
See ya next year, God willing.
Marilyn
http://winnsborosc2.20m.com (Please sign my Guestbook)
Come On Down & Smile; It Does a Body GOOD!

Greetings and Salutations from Baoghalta, 

   His Lairdship has requested that I inquire about the possibility of raising Kudzu in Baoghalta in order to cover the extensive Baoghaltan tidal flats. It is our hope that kudzu might prove to be the "magic bullet" that allows us to increase the land area of Baoghalta by hiding the tidal flats from the incoming tide.
   In the meantime, His Lairdship has requested that I extend an invitation to visit his castle (Caer Neochiallach) at http://www.macrogue.com/. 
   In particular, he requests that you examine the re-enactors room to view the full extent of our tidal problems. Please feel free to roam the Castle halls and corridors, and watch out for the secret passageways.
   In honor of this occasion, His Lairdship has graciously decided to wave the 5 pound entry fee. 

Your Ob't Serv't, 

Regnad Kcin, 
Personal Assistant and Brewmaster to the Laird. 

Hi Regnad,

No problem. Kudzu loves water.

Dear Kudzu Folks,
    Just because I did not even show up for the 99 Blythewood Kudzu Festival after you honoured me with naming the day after me.  I had even thought up some new recopies for Kudzu burgers and other sandwiches. But I really looked forward to meeting all the school children.  But as luck would have it, I was on a trip to Scandinavia, (That's Norway, Sweden, Denmark, etc.) and could not fit it in. 
    Then, today, November 4, I checked to see what was happening with my friends, and Lo and Behold!  You had another festival and didn't invite me.  I could have come this year.  I had just gotten back from a train trip across Canada by then but would have enjoyed seeing all my friends
again.
    I do have a question?  Was this Festival held in the parking lot of the NEW IGA Store?  When I was there in September 1998 for the one I wrote the account of, it appeared that the size of the new parking lot would be a boon to attendance.
    I plan to visit my married granddaughter next summer, and when I am there, I plan to look you guys up and give you a piece of my mind.  My kids have said for years that I was out of my mind, but when I told them about you.... they now say I have a few pieces left to spread around.
    I am sure that somewhere in your files you have my account of the Kudzu Garden Contest, and the story I am the most proud of, the "Real, True, Account of how Kudzu got Here". 
    Let me know what plans you have for next year.  I will keep the whole month of September open for this Wonderful Event!!!

Your Friend, and Honouree,
      Winona M. Eads

Thanks for the kind words, Winona. 

Your Sandwich was the Hit of The Festival this year! 

A lot of folks were asking about you and I told them that you were "Here in Spirit" if not "In the Flesh." 

By the way, have you told your children about the  private dinner we shared on your last night here? I didn't think so. I won't say a word, either.

Bye,

Kudzu Festival

Dear Kudzu Festival Promoters,

Having just returned from North Carolina, we believe that the vine we saw covering everything was kudzu.  So, I opened web sites concerning kudzu.

There was your site!  But where in the world is Blythewood? 

We have nothing more important to do in September than to attend your festival.

Cheers, Bob & Barbara Wright, Seattle, WA

p.s.  If we were to attend would we get the prize for having come the farthest?
=
Hi Bob and Barbara,

Thanks for the kind words.

Actually, if you come to the festival, you would be awarded the prize for not going very far. The festival has been held in Seattle, WA, for over 20 years now.

Regards and hope to see you there,

Kudzu Festival

P.S. - Just joking about the festival being held in Seattle. I don't even know where Seattle is.

I cannot believe ANY SOUTHERNER would promote growing Kudzu.  This plant is parasitic in nature and I have as yet to come across even one positive reason to promote propagation!

Even your own photos emphasize the damage to wooded areas this parasite causes.  Once established, this stuff can't be stopped.  I've seen entire woodlands choked to death from wild Kudzu.

If you are firmly committed to continuing your pursuit...PLEASE include a section on CONTROLLING Kudzu Spread on your page.
BD
=
Dear BD,

Thank you for your letter.

We are firmly committed to continuing our pursuit AND we believe that ANY ATTEMPT TO CONTROL NATURE is contrary to any known basic self-evident environmental truths. 

When Man destroys Nature it's an abmonination... When Nature, left to itself, destroys Nature that's the NATURAL COURSE OF EVENTS.

Would you condemn the lightning when it starts a forest fire? Of course not. Would you condemn a hurricane when its tidal surge floods the land? Of course not. Would you condemn the rain when it pours its blessing on the flowers? Of course not. Would you condemn the Kudzu when left to its Natural Course Of Events? Evidently, YOU WOULD. We, on the other hand, choose not to.

It's obvious to the most casual observer: When we destroy Nature, we destroy our Souls. 

Down South here in Blythewood, Kudzu is King and we Honor, Obey, and Follow wherever He opts to go.

Let us continue to 'agree to disagree.'

Regards,

Kudzu Festival

NOW THAT MY HAIR IS FINALLY GROWING BACK, I LOOK PRETTY D*** GOOD.......DON'T EVER BELIEVE THAT MIRACLE GROW WILL DO SQUAT FOR YOUR HAIR....DIDN'T GROW A BIT......JUST FELL RIGHT OUT !!
MY BOYFRIEND "ICE PICK" SAID THAT HE THINKS I WOULD BE THE IDEAL KUDZU 2007 QUEEN SINCE HE SAYS THAT I GOT A LOT IN COMMON WITH KUDZU......CAN'T GET RID OF ME EITHER...........
SINCERELY,
STAGNETTA WATERS

i just loved the everything that was there we will be back next year with the motorhome. all 8 grandchildren loved it. the kudzu hay ride was great.mama got some recipes for some good vittles. and i learned how to grow kudzu, it is amazing. im going to start a farm in my home town of  WILBER, IDAHO. thats in the county of POTTSVILLE. i think all the towns folk will love me for it. ill be back next year with a new crop of my own. hope its as good as yours.
thank you so much,

THE BACINWOOD'S  FAMILY

OK, so it was YOUR little Melvin Backinwood that tried to grab the french fried kudzu sticks out of the deep fat fryer with his bare hands. I hope that his blisters have all healed. And Mr. Backinwood, please don't forget to let the County Agricultural Agent know that you transplanted some of Blythewood Special Plants in your fields. Tell him it's some kind of new organic decorative ivy and then he won't arrest you. Who knows, in two or three years, Wilber, Idaho, may have it's own version of the Blythewood Kudzu Festival!

WOW: What a great time we had today.  We picked up another couple at 7:00 AM and started driving down towards Blythewood.  Of course we had to stop at Huntersville, NC  for breakfast, but by 8:45, again we were on our way to Kudzu. 
   The IGA parking lot was jammed up with cars so we had to park up were the new motel is under construction.
   We did manage to get tickets for a seat in the grandstand for the parade.   But now really, don't you think that two and half hours is a little to long for a parade?  Most people sitting around us thought that about one and half hours would have been long enough. However, it was not to bad, because there were plenty of vendors selling kudzu dogs and kudzu drinks, of which we consumed quite a lot.
The most thrilling part was after the parade and the MC determined that we drove the most miles to get there and the Kudzu Queen invitied us upon the stage for a closer look.  The Queen of Kudzu planted a great big kiss upon my cheeks and it just thrilled me good. 
   After the Kudzu festivities, we drove over to the Irmo Okra Strut.  We had a good time there also.
   Please keep us posted about the 2007 Kudzu Festival as we are already making plans to attend again next year.
   Thank you very much. 

   J.O.
   Troutman, North Carolina 

Yo! J.O.! 
Thanks for your support. With great people like you attending, the Blythewood Kudzu Festival will continue to be the success it has been for a long, long time. And, for your information, Peptol Bismol works great for those "after festival" kudzu cramps. Thanks for sharing your special moments with us.

   If it weren't for the fact that we're investigating kudzu as paving for the huge dirt parking lots at Candlestick Park, I'd be right there partying with you guys.
   Go Niners. 

   Ray 

Yes, Ray, the benefits of kudzu are many and varied and most are yet undiscovered. My brother has found that it makes a great stucco. His business is doing great for the mobile home crowd here in Blythewood.
Sorry you couldn't make it. Maybe next year, yes?

May I suggest that somewhere on the website you indicate what state Blythewood is in.
Regards from Paradise,
James T. Ehler (Webmaster, cook, chef, writer)
Key West, Florida

OK, James, if you must know, we're constantly in a STATE OF CONFUSION around here every festival!