Written by Shay Carlson

In Tryon, dressing up in costume and participating in a host of kid-friendly activities like face painting, caricatures and contests isn’t just for Halloween and summer fairs, but a way for a community to usher in the promise of spring.

The 39th annual Super Saturday scheduled for March 18, celebrates the positive impact that arts can make on children’s lives. Started in 1979, Super Saturday set out with a mission to foster children’s theater by bringing its younger demographic together in a full day of celebration of spirited arts and entertainment. Each March the festival dons a new theme aimed at engaging the community; this year celebrates “Animals on Parade” which encourages everyone to come dressed as their favorite animal and participate in the Melrose parade.

Begun as a plea for more child-centered community activities by North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, Community Schools Coordinator Joe Wray and his wife Frances pursued the cause with unwavering dedication. It wasn’t long before the Wrays had a band of organizers and sponsors together who were equally dedicated to the idea and made the very first festival on March 10, 1979 the beginning of a momentous tradition.

A truly unique festival, Super Saturday is the only festival in North Carolina to put on a full-day celebration of children’s theater, a feat that earned it the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service after only its ninth year.

Made possible by generous sponsors and a host of over 300 volunteers, Super Saturday is truly an example of the power in a community that works toward a common goal.

Hosting a range of activities all day throughout Tryon, this year will feature a food court (where local churches and school groups will offer a variety of food for even the pickiest eater), a community stage, as well as sidewalk artists and sponsored activities up and down Melrose Avenue.

Don’t miss this year’s festival on March 18, 2017. First show kicks off at 9:15 a.m. with entertainment continuing into the afternoon. See for yourself why some Saturdays are Super Saturdays.

For more Information: 

Visit tryonsupersaturday.com

Find Super Saturday on Facebook

      facebook.com/Tryon-Super-Saturday

Call 828-283-0379

E-mail supersaturdayinfo@gmail.com

Performers & Shows:

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Grammy-nominated Funk
and Hip Hop for Families

Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix

Comedy Dog Act

Porkchop Productions

Cascada de Flores
Bilingual Storytelling

Antonio Rocha

A wild trip into the jungles of Brazil and Africa

Paperhand Puppet Intervention

“Creatures and Creativity: Exploring Possibilities with Puppetry”

Children’s Theater of Charlotte
“Commedia Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs”

“Mystery and History of Magic”

Learn what’s behind some of the
famous illusions in the history of magic!

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus

Contemporary twist to the American circus tradition