…stroll under the mature pecan trees on our Courthouse lawn…stop in our 1895 red brick Courthouse—so authentic it starred in the film “Fried Green Tomatoes”. Our small town welcomes visitors who come to admire our early 20th century buildings on the Courthouse Square, shop at our one-of-a-kind stores and dine at our restaurants.  Each season features our very own traditions from the “Parade of Antique Tractors” in the 4th of July Parade, our Farmer’s Market, the annual Pimiento Fest and a celebration of fine art photography of the Rural South held during the last two weeks of September.

    We’re only one hour south of downtown Atlanta—our small town way of life and our rural setting help make us a “world away” from the . Come and visit!

The Zebulon Downtown Development Authority and the Downtown Merchant’s Group are planning the fifth annual Zebulon Pimiento Festival on Saturday May 15 from 10 am to 4 pm. on the Courthouse Square. The Festival will honor Zebulon and Pike County’s past ties to its agricultural past including the growing and canning of pimientos.

    Planned events include games for the kids and a sidewalk chalk art contest, the famous “World’s Best Pimiento Cheese Spread” Contest sponsored by the Farm Bureau, live music, and food and craft booths. The Festival will also crown the Pimiento Queen or King. This honor is reserved for those folks who actually grew or canned pimientos in Pike County.

    The Planning Committee is urging everyone who would like to participate or who would like to rent booth space to register early for the best locations. A registration form can be downloaded by going to www.zebulondowntown.com or by stopping in at A Novel Experience on the Square in Zebulon. Information on how to enter the Pimiento Cheese Spread contest or suggesting a name for this year’s Pimiento Queen or King will be available soon. The Farmers Market will be in full swing during the morning hours right off the Square by the Post Office and Zebulon stores will have sidewalk specials and events.
    Many have asked: “Why Pimientos?”  Zebulon was at the center of a vast pimiento pepper growing area that begun with the development of a superior pimiento plant named “Perfection” at the Experiment Station in 1912. In addition, new and better canning machines were brought on-line—Zebulon’s canning plant that produced the BESTCO brand still stands on the north end of town.
    The boom in pimientos was over by the early 60’s, yet the legacy of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and investment in our community continues.