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This flame painted hot rod caught the eyes of many and was a main attraction for the car and motorcycle show.

The crowd claps to the beat of Bluegrass music.

A hungry patron enjoys a polish sausage with all the fixings.

The Hinson Girls entertain spectators with bluegrass music: Allsion, far left, Katelyn, middle left, Kristin, middle right, Melissa, far right.

Kids enjoyed festival rides including this inflatable slide.

The Great Falls Shrine Club shows off this Monte Carlo.

Don "Fish" Pate, middle, introduces veterans from ranging from World War II to Operation Desert Storm.

Face painting was a popular exhibit for children and families attending the Flopeye Fish Festival.

Lucas Vance

Staff Writer

GREAT FALLS — Industrial Park in Great Falls was the site of this year’s 30th annual Flopeye Fish Festival.

The original name “Flopeye” originated more than 75 years ago. Andy Morrison, a local merchant at the time, would sit in front of his store and had a hard time keeping his prominent eyelids from flopping over his eyes. In passing, a woman blurted out “who is that flop-eyed man”?

Several bystanders heard the statement and news traveled fast to the Republic Cotton Mills president Rob Mebane, who thought the name “Flopeye” fit that part of the town. Ever since, visitors have enjoyed saying “they’ve been to Flopeye.”

This year, families enjoyed festival foods ranging from funnel cake, turkey legs, BBQ to fish and wings. To quench their thirst on a sunny day, with temperatures climbing into the high 80s, customers enjoyed sweet tea and cherry limeades.

Thanks to Palmetto Amusements, children got a kick out of riding amusements rides and playing carnival games. Adults indulged in local craft vendors, exhibits and displays. Boy Scouts sold necklaces, bracelets, key-chains and lanyards, while the Girls Scouts sold strawberry shortcake and lemonade.

Great Falls Shrine Club hosted its annual car and motorcycle show to highlight everything from classic rides to trendy new ones. Showcase vehicles flaunted shiny wheels, custom paint jobs and enhanced motors.

The late morning/early afternoon crowd was entertained by the Bluegrass sound of the Hinson Girls. The talented vocalists and string players are a group of four sisters originally from Lancaster. The Hinson Girls won first place at the South Carolina Bluegrass Band Championship in March 2012.

After a recognition service for all the veterans in attendance, festivities continued with the gospel band, Sustaining Point, taking the main stage and then the Coco Loco party band played into the evening to close out the festival. The Flopeye Fish Festival is held every year on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and attracts visitors from many surrounding states.

Contact Lucas Vance at 635-4016 ext.15 or email him at lvance@civitasmedia.com