Published: Saturday, Sep. 06, 2008 / Updated: Monday, Sep. 08, 2008 07:26 AM

Festivalgoers celebrate Van Wyck, native son Crawford

VAN WYCK -- USA Olympic medalist Shawn Crawford didn't tell his extended Van Wyck family that he was coming home. But Crawford's loyal fans knew the man who once raced a giraffe and won would come to Saturday's annual festival.

So, they waited for their hero.

"Is he here?" a 9-year-old boy also named Shawn asked. "Is he here?"

Crawford won a silver medal in this year's Olympics in Beijing, but the former Clemson University student wanted no accolades.

"It's hard for me to look at myself as a role model or hero," Crawford said when reached by cell phone as he drove to the 10th annual Celebrate Van Wyck Festival. "It just so happens that God put me in the position to touch the lives of other people."

While some festivalgoers waited for a glimpse of and autograph from the Olympic star, about 1,500 people explored the festival. Forty-nine vendors tempted attendees with hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade cookies, pies and cakes as well as eclectic pocketbooks, woven baskets, vanity car tags and teddy bears. Young and old took turns mining for gems, conquering a rock climbing wall, riding a miniature train dubbed "The Van Wyck Express" and socializing in the shade offered by towering trees.

"It's a small-town feel," said Leigh Ayers of Indian Land, a four-year attendee. "I grew up in a small town, and you lose that when you move to a big city. It feels good to come back to an event with a small-town feel."

Matt McGinn and his toddler son, Caedmon, mined for gems.

"I'm having fun," Caedmon said as he found three pieces of amethyst and other gems.

Across the way, Rock Hill's Greg and Nicky Prell eyed a neon orange 1953 Ford F100, part of the antique car show lineup.

"I like the wide body," Greg Prell said of the truck. "It looks fat."

Nicky Prell added, "He's a car fanatic."

The Prells also admired Crawford's track skills.

"He's a fast dude, I know that," Greg Prell said. "He flies."

Steps away, Christoria Crawford basked as she spoke about her big brother.

"He made something of himself," she said. "I was so proud to even see my brother running track on TV."

In 2004, Crawford earned a gold medal in the 200 meters during the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He also earned a silver medal for his work with the U.S. relay team.

During the 2008 Olympics, Crawford finished fourth in the 200 meters. Then two runners were disqualified for lane violations, paving the way for Crawford to take the silver medal.

"I did give it back," a humbled Crawford said. "I gave it to the guy who finished second before he disqualified. I felt like I didn't deserve the bronze or silver because I finished fourth place."

Crawford's mother, Sylvia, disagreed.

"It was a miracle ... It was God's favor," Sylvia Crawford, who celebrates her 47th birthday today, said of her son's silver medal. "I told him he deserved it. It was meant to be."

Past and current Olympic victories touched more than her son, Sylvia Crawford said.

"If wasn't for Shawn, the town wouldn't be on the map," she said. "It is a small town, and no one knew Van Wyck existed. Now, they know where it is."

But Shawn Crawford did more than bring recognition for Van Wyck. Just ask his cousins.

"He has inspired young people from small towns to go after their dreams," said 14-year-old Li'treast Stowe of Van Wyck.

Then there's the cousin Crawford pulled from a low point.

"One day, I was feeling really bad because I tried out for a basketball team, and I didn't make it," 15-year-old Kyxana Crawford recalled. "He encouraged me to not give up and try out for another sport. I did that, and now I'm a volleyball player."

Hours passed. Crawford finally arrived late in the afternoon, his sister said, to an avalanche of clapping and screaming.

"From his performance in the Olympics, he deserved it," Christoria Crawford said.

To see more photos from the 10th annual Celebrate Van Wyck Festival, go to www.heraldonline.com/galleries