Monday, March 12, 2012

SC: 28th Annual Azalea Festival set for April 20-21

From the Pickens Sentinel (Pickens, South Carolina): 28th Annual Azalea Festival set for April 20-21
PICKENS - The sights and sounds of spring will soon be in the air, as plans are well underway for the 28th Annual Pickens Azalea Festival scheduled for April 20th & 21st.

The annual Classic Car Cruise In, on Main Street will kick things off Friday night at 7pm. Classic cars, jeeps and other vehicles restored to their original beauty will fill downtown Pickens, offering visitors a chance to revisit their past, while introducing their children and grandchildren to the glory days of automobiles. Bring the entire family as the kids can enjoy amusement rides in Legacy Square.

Musical entertainer Jason D. Williams, who brings a madman’s wild energy and a sparking passion to the stage, will headline Friday night’s entertainment. His signature brand of wild and rowdy boogie woogie and rock and roll mixed with raw energy and boundless talent is a sure fire recipe for pleasing the audience. His sound skips across multiple genres, incorporating everything from classical to country blues, jazz and rockabilly. But where he really shines is in his live performance, raw energy fueling the tunes as he stomps and bangs and dances behind the keys, and sometimes on the keys. There will be no doubt why fans and critics alike agree that the dynamic piano player from Memphis, TN is a MUST SEE, with the same musical genius as Mozart and the versatility and on the edge attitude to bring you back to the roots of Rock & Roll.

Saturday morning April 21st the festival gets underway with the annual 5K walk/run. This event will begin at 8:30am and leave from Pickens High School on Hwy 178. Participants will travel a designated route planned by organizers. This event is sponsored by the Pickens Women’s Association.

Opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. in front of the Pickens County Court House will kick things off for downtown. Over one hundred area artist and crafters will line Main Street, offering their skills and talents to the public for sale and viewing.

Local civic non-profit organizations and area businesses will be offering various types of food at the festival ranging from hotdogs, apple fritters, barbeque, hamburgers, roasted corn, funnel cakes, southern blt, and baked goods of all kinds just to name a few.

Helicopter rides will be available at Bruce Field Stadium Saturday, allowing interested patrons the chance to view historic Pickens from the air. Carriage rides will also be available during the festival in front of First Baptist Church on Main Street, both weather permitting.

Throughout Saturday enjoy music on two stages, offering various forms of entertainment, ranging from local clogging groups and choirs to magic acts

New to the Azalea Festival this year will be a shuttle service to see Historic Hagood Mill. The mill located just off Hwy 178 out of Pickens, was built in 1826. One of the oldest known gristmills in South Carolina. It still produces grain products today and is the only mill in South Carolina that uses the original wheel components. The mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The shuttle will operated Saturday from 10am – 4pm during the festival. Admission to the mill and shuttle are free.

Make plans to enjoy a family fun weekend in Pickens at the 28th Annual Azalea Festival. The Azalea Festival is sponsored by the Pickens Chamber of Commerce, and Azalea Festival Committee.

For festival information, applications, entertainment, or to become a volunteer with the Azalea Festival, visit our website at www.pickensazlaeafestival.org.

Make plans to enjoy a family fun weekend in Pickens at the 28th Annual Azalea Festival. The Azalea Festival is sponsored by the Pickens Chamber of Commerce, and Azalea Festival Committee.

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