The Willow Tree Festival is held at Winship Park in Gordon on the second weekend of September, Saturday and Sunday, and runs as an arts and music festival across three stages celebrating the Sandhills through music, art, food, history and family activities. Collectible festival buttons are a tradition, with a youth button design contest each year. The festival honours Ruth Gealy, a longtime Gordon figure who described the town as America’s best and brightest secret. Pets are not permitted on the grounds.