Southport, North Carolina poet Dorothy Bell Kaufman shared the whittler’s spirit perfectly with these words: “Get me a stick and a bright, brisk blade, And let me sit in the spread of the shade, Where the tales are told and the jokes are made. “Let me listen: I hear the beat of a small town’s heart in the shady street. Beneath the boughs where the whittlers meet- While Clip, clop, the chips drop. By the Whittlin’ Tree, where the fishermen stop!”
Southport is home to a very special spot for those who can craft something to life with a sharp pocket knife and a piece of wood. It’s lovingly called the Whittler’s Bench, and it has legendary roots. As the story goes, a signature cedar tree was the first planted in this spot and named after George Washington. A few poplar trees followed years after, forming a place where locals would gather to whittle away in the shade while gossiping politics and waiting for the fishing boats to come in with their freshest catch of the day.
The art of whittling remains a beloved pastime at this special spot in Southport and the surrounding area. But Southport is also home to a very special consumer event they call the Southport Springfest, scheduled for Saturday, April 19th from 10 am to 6 pm.
The event will feature a wide array of fun activities and for all ages, with regional arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and entertainment. Our friend Brian McKinney is also scheduled to be at Southport Springfest to demonstrate his whittling techniques using Case knives as his cutting tools of choice.
For more information about Southport Springfest and the whittling demonstrations with Brian McKinney, visit the event website here.