Thousands – including a bison -visit Williamson Wisteria Festival

This year’s annual Williamson Wisteria Festival had an estimated 3,500 visitors, including a neighboring bison.

The Friday evening festivities were winding down on April 4 at the Williamson Wisteria Festival when an unexpected visitor arrived – a full grown bison.

The large bovine meandered along the edge of Benson Hilley park where vendors and visitors were enjoying the evening and live music. The bison was followed by its owners and sheriff’s deputies.
The bison trotted peacefully down Old Fayetteville Road before taking a right on Vaughn Lane with the sheriff’s deputy and a group of others tailing it.

“Lucy is a real sweetheart. She must have heard the excitement or smelled the funnel cakes,” said Williamson mayor Steve Fry.

He and his family used to have 12 bison and Lucy is the last one. She was safely returned home a few hours after her escape and visit to the nearby festival.

“The festival went very well. We opened earlier than ever before. We allowed vendors to set up beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday and open at noon,” said mayor Fry. “We had 74 vendors, 16 musical acts and five entries for the talent show. Jana Dianne won the talent show with her rendition of “Just Wait” written by Kelsey Lamb. Pike County Fire Department had three apparatus displayed. And of course Lucy made her guest appearance.”