Anne McKee
Everyone mark your calendar, send yourself a message, write it on the back of your hand, or tie a string around your finger – whatever it takes to remember that tomorrow is time for the annual 2009 Threefoot Festival. Hot Dog! It’s finally here.
Speaking of hot dogs, The Meridian Little Theatre group will be selling hot dogs and lemonade at the festival. Other food/drink vendors are: McAlisters Gourmet Deli, Snow Biz, Barbeque plates at the Museum of Art, Threefoot Bloody Mary Bar, Coca-Cola, and Bud Light trailers.
At the Threefoot Festival, you will witness a rare feat that doesn’t happen in many cities -- yes, come out and see the wonderful spirit of “working together.” Some say the spirit had been long gone, but a rebirth of sorts occurred with the planning of the Threefoot Festival. The grand success of the festival will happen because of the giving spirit of the volunteers who have worked for months to put this event together. Working together to support the community is what the Meridian Council for the Arts is all about.
Kris Gianakos, Board President, Meridian Council for the Arts, led the way to engineer a mighty festival where all facets of the arts community join hands to make the arts accessible for everyone. Early on Kris put the question to the arts council members, and I remember his question since I was present at the meeting. Kris opened the floor to discussion whether to continue with the two arts council sponsored festivals or to pool all resources in order to produce a spectacular event located in the downtown Meridian area. The outcome was to discontinue Art in the Park. The two festivals were combined and by the overwhelming cooperation of the entire arts community, it would seem the decision was wise and needed.
Everyone please put pen and paper at a close proximity, because you will want to make a lot of notes – there’s just too much to remember.
Date -- Saturday, April 4, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m.
New Location -- 6th and 7th Streets between 23rd and 25th Avenues – heart of the arts district.
New Festival – Combining Arts in the Park with Threefoot Festival in the downtown location.
New Partners
1) Anderson Cup Road Race – Race start is 8 a. m. at Doughboy Monument. Includes a 5K Run, 2-mile Walk, 1-mile Fun Run. Call the Anderson Fitness Center, 601) 693-5353.
2) Make-A-Wish Foundation 2-mile Walk at 10 a. m.(6th Street & 25th Avenue).
3) Jimmie Rodgers Foundation – Several events at Temple Theatre, 601) 693-5353.
Youth Talent Competition – 9 a. m.
Adult Talent Competition – Noon.
Gospel Concert featuring The McKameys, 2nd Mile, The Harrells, The Gospel Strings and Master Sound Quartet. Music begins at 6:30.
Art Displayed and For Sale – 33 artists are confirmed from all across the Southeast. Fine arts include painting, pottery, photography, metal work, sculpture, jewelry, painted furniture, slumped glass, gourd art, pine straw art, and even books for sale written by members of Mississippi Writers Guild, plus more. More than $5,000. prize money awarded.
Threefoot Chili Cook-Off
Begins at 1 p. m.( 7th Street and 24th Avenue). Everyone invited to taste the chili and vote for your favorite -- awards given at 2:00 p. m. with $30.00 entry fee. Of interest is the hot competition between two teams from the Meridian Air Station – hot is the active word, HOT CHILI! Additional entries may sign to participate until 9:00 a.m.
Threefoot Festival Stage
Local musical entertainment with a great variety, especially the Highland Baptist Church Orchestra playing at 11:30 a. m. and much, much more.
Children’s Activities (10 a.m. to 4 p. m.)
Hold on to your hat – the children’s activities area is where the fun is definitely located. Parents, grandparents, aunties, and church members, please bring the children to the parking lot located next door to the temporary City Hall and across the street from The Meridian Museum of Art. Fantastic FREE children’s hands-on area with the theme “Arts, As American as Apple Pie.” Planned activities: dancing, drawing, painting, sculpting, storytelling, musical entertainment, horse shoes, an archaeological dig, and demonstrations of roping, clogging, weaving, Native American beading, and much more. The four corners of America is the focus – art from the North, South, East, and West. Each child can create and take home a piece of art all of their own.
Mimes, and face painting organized by Charlotte Tabereaux, MSU/Riley Center, Education Director will bring some excitement to the crowd as students from Meridian High School Drama Club help with this project. Several arts teachers from local schools are volunteering their time to make certain the Children’s Activities area is a big success. Last year, Nancy Ray and Marsha Iverson manned the Children’s Activities and had over 700 children participating – this year up to 1,000 students are anticipated, perhaps more.
The storytellers begin at noon and travel from across the state and a few from Alabama as well. The Tall Tales and Recollections Storytellers of Meridian have pulled together their storytelling affiliates in order to have a great variety of yarns and documented historical stories. Stories included: Meridian’s Gypsy Queen, Paul Bynum, Native American folklore (from Choctaw, MS), war stories suitable for children, and Miss Annie Oakley – the stories, tall tales, and myths will mesmerize children and adults as well.
The Meridian Museum of Art is delighted to house the school art competition. All artwork will be displayed and the museum open for the exhibit. So, parents, grandparents, and friends, come and support your children’s work by visiting the museum.
Safety
The Meridian Council for the Arts is dedicated to make certain attendees are safe and comfortable at the festival. Security and the City Police will be on site plus additional safety observers on duty as well. All arts council members will wear green tee shirts – in case of a problem, please notify any of these listed. Note: Pets on leash are allowed.
Sponsors … Sponsors … Sponsors …
An activity of this magnitude is not be possible without the generosity of many sponsors and special helpers. In this community, it is very apparent that we have the very BEST:
Structural Steel Service, Inc.
City of Meridian (setup, cleanup, and security).
Bud Light
Dulaney Arts Initiative
Ad Astra LLC
Mississippi Power Company
Rosenbaum Properties
Urban Radio
National Endowment for the Arts
Mississippi Arts Commission
Chris McDonald, State Farm Insurance Agent
Community Foundation of East MS
Blackwell Sand Company
Rea, Shaw, Gifford, and Stewart
Naval Air Station Shipmates
Keep America Beautiful
Meridian Green
Coffee and biscuits provided by McDonald’s.
Thanks to the local media.
The twenty-nine members of the Meridian Council for the Arts and Board President, Kris Gianakos, plus the City of Meridian, and our Executive Director, Connie Royal, invite you to come out and make memories that you will relive for years and years. When a community works together, it will not fail.
Anne McKee is a writer and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster as a dramatic and literary artist and storyteller. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.
