More than 30,000 attend NC Spot Festival

Hampstead — Attractions at the 44th annual North Carolina Spot Festival included arts and crafts, rides, and much more. The food is at the heart of it all though.

If anyone would know about spot fish, it’s Vick Becker. He has volunteered at the festival for the past 12 years. “It’s very tender and very tasty but if you don’t know how to separate the bone from the meat, you’re in trouble,” he said.

Becker’s job is prepping the spot fish between the fryer and the plate. His job keeps him busy. Organizers say more than 12,000 spots were sold over the weekend.

Diane Bailey and her husband were visiting the festival from Chapel Hill. Bailey said they couldn’t wait to get there.

Vick Becker said he just enjoys being at the festival. He said, “It’s a great thing. They’ll be doing this for quite a few years.”

Money raised goes to the Hampstead Fire Department and the Topsail School System.