American Heroes Program on Sept. 12
Plans have been finalized for Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast’s American Heroes, Celebrating Americans’ Strength in Story and Song. The festival event will be held in downtown Laurinburg on Saturday, September 12 from 10:00am to 3:30pm. The event is free and family-friendly.
American Heroes, Celebrating Americans’ Strength in Story and Song is a community-wide celebration honoring local heroes as well as commemorating the inspiring courage and bravery of the American people following the 9/11 tragedy.
Earlier this summer, the Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast (SACS) accepted brief stories and character sketches of local ordinary folks who exemplify extraordinary heroism and whose contributions have made a significant difference in the community. A panel of judges reviewed the entries and selected those best representing the premise of the festival celebration. The winners will be revealed during a special program on the day of the festival featuring local storytellers and musicians Mark Mannette, Martha Johnson, Tyris Jones, Bren Gandy-Wilson, Carol Whitehead, James Clark, and Shelly Sutton.
The American Heroes opening ceremony begins at 10:00am on the main festival stage and will be followed by musical performances, an apple pie contest, exhibits and demonstrations, and children’s activities. At 12:30pm, the American Heroes, Celebrating Americans’ Strength in Story and Song program begins inside the Storytelling Arts Center at 131 N. Main St. There is no admission fee for the program; however, seating is limited.
In addition to the storytelling program, musical groups The Cousinettes and Fortress will perform on the main stage at 10:30. Children’s activities on September 12 include free face-painting, cookie-decorating, crafts, basketball hoops and sidewalk games, an inflatable from Julie’s Jumpers, a visit from the Laurinburg K-9 unit, and the Laurinburg Firefighters’ Firehouse. Exhibitors include American Legion Posts 181 and 50, VFW Post 2008, youth scouting groups, the Humane Society, and local law enforcement, fire, and emergency agencies. There will also be food and drink vendors serving sandwiches, pizza, sweets, and snacks. The festival concludes at 3:30pm.
For more information, call (910) 291-0929, see www.storyartscenter.org, or visit the Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast at 131 N. Main St. in Laurinburg
