TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL
HIDDENITE CELEBRATION of the ARTS

Dates: September 22, 2007
Place: Streets of Hiddenite, NC
An entire week of activities is planned with a day full day of
celebrating on Saturday, September 22.

HIDDENITE CELEBRATION WEEK '07 IS ANOTHER ROUSING SUCCESS

The Hiddenite Center's twenty-sixth annual Hiddenite Celebration of the ARTS has been put to bed for another year, and what a rousing success the entire event was!  A crowd estimated as "one of the largest ever" turned out to enjoy the annual day-long event which was a huge success.  The weather on Saturday was a beautiful sun shiny (a little warm, but dry)!   The entire community and beyond enjoyed the annual event and spent quality time with their friends and family.

The theme for this year's Celebration was "Front Row Seats."  The goal was to help awake the public to the arts - music, arts, classes, history, theater, dance, exhibits, and programs.  The Hiddenite Center with the assistance of more than one hundred volunteers, some seventy-five arts and crafts vendors, an additional twelve food vendors, more than one hundred musicians and dancers, and forty some folk life presenters, provided the public with an up-close and personal way to meet the presenters.

This year's Celebration kicked-off with the annual Square Dance hosted by the Emerald Squares at the Center's Educational Complex on Saturday evening, September 15.

On Tuesday morning, September 18 the Celebration moved into high gear with the Senior Adult Day.  Seniors were provided "Front Row Seats" to enjoy movie clips from the past, identification of actors from the past, and music from the movies.  Through the planning and coordination of Bernadette Watts and Linda Graham, Alexander Central High School Music Department students provided the entertainment.  A delicious lunch was served and enjoyed by the one-hundred and thirty seniors and sponsors in attendance.   The large group of Seniors enjoyed games, meeting folks, and entertainment.

This year's climatic day was blessed with perfect weather, and an outstanding array of arts, crafts, folkways, foods, entertainment, and more welcome  an enthusiastic and eager audience to their "Front Row Seats."   The day was strong - beginning to end!   "We strive to do quality programming to serve our public, and the Center's staff is extremely pleased with the overall quality and thrust of this year's edition of the Celebration," remarked dwaine coley.  "With a wonderful staff who plans every detail, the day was picture perfect.  We must say thank you to the host of folks who freely give of their time and energy to make the day possible - those who hosted in the museum, manned the doors, tended the welcome booth (especially the ACHS Student Government), provided music and stories on the stages, served cold drinks, provided for the needs of others, and labored (and I mean labored) to set up and clean up.  Thank you, volunteers!"

"This year was our very first Hiddenite Half Marathan, and it was a 'Gem of a Race!" commended coley.  "I must say a HUGE thank you to Rick French and a host of volunteers of planned the road race from beginning to end.  The event added excitement and interest to the day!  WOW! Running thirteen plus miles and still smiling when crossing the finish line, is a REAL FEAT!"  The male top finishers in the race were: Joe Cornwell (first), Gary Walker (second), and Jimmy Goble (third) and female top finishers were: Jennifer Tozier (first), Sarah Bowman (second), and Kim Bishop (third). Top finishers by age group were: Females - Jennifer Kish (0-24), Brea Fincannon (25-29), LeeAnn Privett (35-39), Christine Winn (40-44), Karen Brown (45-49), Emily Reed (50-54), Merrie Dawkins (55-59) and Males - David Meeher (0-24), Mike Koenig (25-29), Greg Cronk (35-39), Marvin D. Anthony, Jr. (40-44), Russell Harrow (45-49), Ben Zachary (50-54), Leon Harmon (55-59), Jimmy Deal (60-64), Frank Sherrill (70 and above). Our youngest competitor was Derek Dyson (8 years of age), who ran the race in two hours and twelve minutes.

"I must tip my hat to the Center's staff, Karen Walker, Allison Houchins, Jenny Patterson, Peggy Martin, Robert Walker, Elmeta Adams, Jerri Head, Martha Burgin, and our support staff and volunteers. A host of volunteers and cooperative community folks guarantee the success of this annual venture," commented the Center's Executive Director.  "Without groups like the Emerald Squares and the wonderful RA's and GA's and their leaders from Sulphur Springs Baptist Church we would not attempt such a massive undertaking.  Thanks too to good community residents who graciously cooperate with the activities and a wonderful host of volunteers who rally to make the day memorable for everyone. The Center is deeply grateful to all who participate and work to make things happen."

The participation of numerous artists and craftspersons made the day most enjoyable for the entire region.  Special presentations of North Carolina heritage arts made the day unique and special. Visitors from surrounding areas particularly commented on the unique nature of these special exhibitors and artists.

"The Hiddenite Celebration of the ARTS is put away for another year, but the planning and evaluation have begun for next year's festivities.  IF the public, arts and crafts vendors, entertainers, food vendors, or anyone else has ideas and suggestions, the Center's staff is eager to have input to help make the event more manageable for next year. The Center welcomes input from participants and visitors," concluded the Center's Executive Director.

The Hiddenite Celebration of the ARTS was made possible in part through the generous funding of the Alexander County government, North Carolina Arts Council's General Support and Grassroots grants (which is funded by the North Carolina Legislature and the National Endowment for the ARTS), and the R. Y. and Eileen Lackey Sharpe Family Foundation.  The Center is most appreciative of the businesses and individuals who support the Celebration through the annual tabloid.  These funds bear some of the Center's expenses for the set up and staging of the festival.  Also special thanks to Sipe Lumber and Mountain View Farms.

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