EASLEY — A warm, welcoming atmosphere made up for the cooler temps and stiff breezes on Saturday for the 14th annual Family Unity Festival as hundreds of Upstate residents made their way into downtown Easley for the community event.

“I think it’s a nice turn out,” said Tasha Killgore, who attended the parade and following festival with her two sons, Marcus and Nate. “I thought there would be more people out here, but you know, it’s still early. The band hasn’t even started yet.”

Killgore took advantage of her early arrival by hitting the fish fry booth before the lines got too long.

“Have you ever had this? Better get it now,” she joked. “Best fish you’ll have — taste’s like my nana’s.”

The fried fish booth is put on annually by Soapstone Baptist Church out of Pickens which was founded after the Civil War and is one of the oldest African American church congregations in all of Upstate.

“We hold a ‘Fish Fry Plus’ the third Saturday of every month,” said Mabel Clarke, who was dishing up the Styrofoam boxes full of deliciousness. “You should come and join us!”

If the fish wasn’t enough, there was plenty of other options around the various vendor booths at this year’s festival, including bar-be-cue, sweet cakes and plenty of homemade goodies.

Once NuSound, a band out of Greenville, took the stage, it was hard to stand still long enough to eat. Kids danced, old ladies tapped their feet and everyone swayed to the catchy beats flowing from the stage.

The Family Unity Festival proved that when you put out some good food and good music; good people come together — and have a great time.

The parade leading up to this year’s Family Unity Festival featured almost 50 entries.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_062.jpgThe parade leading up to this year’s Family Unity Festival featured almost 50 entries. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

Motorcyclists waved to the spectators that lined up and down the streets of downtown Easley.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_084.jpgMotorcyclists waved to the spectators that lined up and down the streets of downtown Easley. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

“We hold a ‘Fish Fry Plus’ the third Saturday of every month,” said Mabel Clarke, right, as she was dishing up the Styrofoam boxes full of deliciousness. “You should come and join us!”
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_137.jpg“We hold a ‘Fish Fry Plus’ the third Saturday of every month,” said Mabel Clarke, right, as she was dishing up the Styrofoam boxes full of deliciousness. “You should come and join us!” Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

Fletcher Williams batters and deep fries the fish for Soapstone Baptist Church.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_147.jpgFletcher Williams batters and deep fries the fish for Soapstone Baptist Church. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

Christopher R. Alexander of NuSound tunes his bass just before the band took the stage.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_170.jpgChristopher R. Alexander of NuSound tunes his bass just before the band took the stage. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

If the fish wasn’t enough, there was plenty of other options around the various vendor booths at this year’s festival, including bar-be-cue, sweet cakes and plenty of homemade goodies.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_193.jpgIf the fish wasn’t enough, there was plenty of other options around the various vendor booths at this year’s festival, including bar-be-cue, sweet cakes and plenty of homemade goodies. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.