TroyFest was officially kicked off with a brownbag lunch yesterday.

A large crowd was lured to the square by the smell of hot dogs on the grill and the sound of local musicians.

The festivities began with a performance from the SheBANG! championship cloggers dancing to songs like Kat Deluna’s “Unstoppable” and the Osborne Brothers’ “Rocky Top”.

After a blessing the crowd helped themselves to hot dogs, chips, cracker jacks and cupcakes while Mayor Jimmy Lunsford addressed the people.

“They told me I couldn’t have a hot dog until I came up to talk to you,” Lunsford joked.

The mayor encouraged everybody to return to the square for TroyFest.

“Come on out and have a good time and support the artists,” he said.

Johnny Barron pulled up a stool in the gazebo and played guitar while Sheila Jackson, Madisyn Johnson and Christine Barron took turns singing.

Students of the Troy School of Dance then displayed their grace before a squad of Troy Cheerleaders did a routine.

The event finished with prize drawings and one lucky winner received a $100 TroyFest gift certificate.