If there has been a larger crowd in Troy, Rob Drinkard has not been witness to it.

Drinkard and his wife, Morgan, co-chaired TroyFest 2019.  By all accounts, the fine arts and crafts festival attracted one of the largest crowds ever in Troy, he said.

“I think the large crowd was a combination of great artists, great weather and  great publicity , Drinkard  said.  “And it was certainly a boost to have  Parents Weekend for two Troy University sororities the same weekend.”

Drinkard said TroyFest 2019 would not have been possible without the support of the City of Troy and the committee volunteers.

“It  took everyone working together and we appreciate all of those who worked so hard to make TroyFest 2019 happen,” he said. “We thank the artists and the vendors, our entertainers and all of those who came and made the two-day festival a success.”

The artists’ awards were presented at the Charles Adams Barbecue Saturday night.

Morgan Drinkard said TroyFest featured outstanding artists, therefore, continuing TroyFest’s reputation as the premier arts festival in the region.

“We congratulate all of the artists who made TroyFest once again a great success,” Drinkard said. “One of our own, Charles Adams  was judged “Best of Show” for his solo exhibit. Charles has been with TroyFest since 1983. We want to congratulate him on the TroyFest 2019 Best of Show Award. He is certainly deserving of this recognition.”

In true Charles Adams’ fashion, Adams said. “I was floored.”

Adams said he honestly was not expecting “anything like that.”

“This is the first time I have received the Best of Show Award at TroyFest and it’s  a real honor,” he said. “To be recognized here at home is special to me and I greatly appreciate it. I stared participating in art shows here in Troy back when there was a show at Murphree Park and I don’t guess I’ve missed one. I hope I can keep coming because this is always a great show,  is well organized and has some of the best artists anywhere. I’m just proud they will have me.”

As “Best of Show” artist, Adams received $1,000 and will be featured in an upcoming solo exhibit at the Johnson Center for the Arts.

The Corley C. Chapman First Place Fine Arts Award was present toe Juan Carlos Cahue, jewelry, Ocala, Florida. Cahue received a $500 cash prize.

The First Place Craft Award was presented to Michele McLendon, Brundidge. She received a $500 cash award.

The $500  Jean Lake Folk Art Award  went to Katherine Michael of Tampa, Florida.

Merit Awards carried $125 cash prizes. The recipients of the Merit Awards are:  Steve Brown, Troy, painting; Lavon Strickland, Blakely, Georgia, pottery; Mary Holman Johnson, Palmetto, Georgia, jewelry; Mike Tanner, Nicholls, Georgia, photography; Danielle Tickell, Calera, graphics and drawing; Alan Burnett, New Brockton, sculpture; Heaven McCaulley, Piedmont, functional crafts; Wendy Ward, Troy, Decorative Crafts; and Marian Baker, Oneonta, folk art.

Cracker Harris, Birmingham, was awarded $100 for Most Creative Use of Materials. Noel West, Panama City, Florida was recognized as Demonstrating Artist and Billy Howell, Gardendale, was named the Freshman Exhibitor and received $100. Dan Davenport, Millington, Michigan traveled the greatest distance to TroyFest and received $125.