Saluda celebrates arts with festival on Saturday

Published 2:40 pm Friday, May 15, 2009

Visitors can stroll along tree-lined historic Main Street and watch artists create works of art with a variety of demonstrations held during the day. Visit the &dquo;Saluda Artists Exhibit&dquo; located at the Saluda Senior Center for a display of local art work from more than 20 Saluda artists.

A special Children&squo;s Tent will exhibit artwork from Saluda School students. Children attending the festival can create their own works of art or musical instruments made from natural materials. The Children&squo;s Tent is sponsored by Saluda businesses and citizens: Gold Sponsors ‐ Macon Bank, Don Mintz Builders, Cathy Jackson Realty, and Autumn Care; Silver Sponsors ‐ Saluda Wine & Cheese, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Cardais; and Bronze Sponsors ‐ Saluda Fine Arts, Thompson&39;s Store & Ward&squo;s Grill, Seams Sew Right, M.A. Pace General Store, and Tickle Family Health Center Spa.

In addition to the visual art exhibits, festival goers can choose from a variety of music from well-known regional entertainers ranging from juggling artists to jazz to violinists. Four venues will stage a wide range of musical artists starting at 10 a.m. (see schedule at right).

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The Saluda Arts and Music Festival is sponsored each year by the Saluda Business Association.

&dquo;Art and music talent thrive in Saluda and the festival gives us an opportunity to let this talent &39;shine&39; while boosting our tourist season,&dquo; says Catherine Ross, president of the Saluda Business Association.

Festival organizers say Saluda, nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a great place to visit for a day trip from Asheville, Hendersonville, or the Upstate of South Carolina. They point out that Saluda abounds in natural assets for the whole family to enjoy and doesn&squo;t cost a penny.

&uot;Enjoy [the area&39;s] breathtaking views, waterfalls, hiking trails, game lands, and tubing or kayaking the Green River,&uot; organizers suggest. &uot;Stroll down tree-lined streets or just do some &39;bench sitting&39; on Main Street that is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Shop the many distinctive shops some specializing in American Craft. Step back in time at the 100-year old general stores where you can still get a pack of nabs and quench your thirst with a soft drink in a glass bottle.&uot;

For information about the festival, lodging, directions, or parking, please contact Catherine Ross at 828-243-8696 or visit www.saluda.com.&bsp;Music schedule

Nostalgia Courtyard Stage

10:00&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; The Dixie Ramblers, Orleans jazz and ragtime

12:30&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Aaron Burdette, singer and songwriter

1:45&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Kevin Bradley, juggler

4:00&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Brandon Turner, acoustic blues guitarist

Top of the Grade Stage

10:00&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Kevin Bradley

10:30&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; &dquo;Open Mic&dquo; with Gary Segal

12:30&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Gary Segal, Americana, folk rockin&squo; blues

2:45&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Scoot Pittman Trio, blues

McCreery Park Stage

11:15&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Jazz the Ripper, jazz, blues, funk

1:30&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Shane Pruitt, blues

4:00&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Jack Roper, magician

5-7:00&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; A Sign of the Times, MoTown band from Charlotte

Depot Stage

10:30&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; George Simmons

12:00&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Kevin Bradley, juggler

3:30&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Suzuki Players, violinists

8:00&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Gigi Dover at the Purple Onion

8:00&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Southern Pointe at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree