With “phenomenal” weather and a pent-up desire to get back out and mingle after two years of cancelations due to Covid, Saturday’s Gwynn’s Island Festival was a big hit with everyone in attendance, according to this year’s organizer, Jan Bassett.

“Wow, it was a fantastic day,” Bassett said. “It was probably one of the largest attended festivals … Our parking lot overflowed probably four times. I know it was definitely over 3,500” in attendance, she added.

This year’s festival was dedicated to the memory of Martha Christie “Cricket” Call, longtime organizer of the Gwynn’s Island Festival, who passed away in February. “You definitely felt her spirit there,” Bassett said.

The observance included the presentation of a plaque to Call’s sister, Mary Tobin, as well as the singing of a song by Tyrone Hudgins dedicated to Call.

The whole day was “very community oriented,” Bassett said. The vendors reported good sales as well as having positive interactions with those in attendan...