“I think overall it was a success … everything went really well,” Betty Lou Sammons said on Monday, looking back on this year’s Guinea Jubilee that was held on Friday and Saturday at the Abingdon Ruritan Club grounds in Bena. Sammons, who was co-chair of this year’s festival along with Melissa Ashe, said that the crowds came and went with the tides as a strong northeastern storm blew through the area. But the rains held off for the most part and the turnout was strong on both days. “The high tides definitely impacted attendance both days,” said Ashe. “Even some of our vendors were not able to make it either. Fortunately, the rain held off and the cooler temperatures were welcome given the summer’s heat wave.” On Friday evening, the 2026 Guinea Jubilee grand marshal was announced by Hamilton Williams, speaking on behalf of the Guinea Heritage Association’s board of directors. Grand marshal This year’s grand marshal was a familiar face for many in the crowd—Michael Lee Greene Sr. A lifel...