Friday, August 30, 2002
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Friday, August 30, 2002 |
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Labor Day weekend means it's time to go to Powers' Crossroads By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
Around these parts Labor Day Weekend is synonymous with Powers' Crossroads, three festivals in one, located on the grounds of the historic Powers' Plantation. Entering its 32nd year, Powers' Crossroads combines some of the highest quality artistic work from all over the United States, a plethora of good food and a weekend full of music and entertainment. The Festival of Arts and Crafts will feature oil paintings, watercolor, photography, weaving, woodcarving, jewelry and more. Though there are some exhibitors from the area including Fayetteville artist Patsy Gullett, there are exhibitors from over 20 states this year including artists from Jamaica, New York, Wichita, Kansas and more. Though there are some new exhibitors showcasing their wares, many exhibitors return each year and have a large number of loyal customers. The Festival of Food is also a big draw for some annual Powers' Crossroads visitors. People can't wait to sink their teeth into some southern fried pies, biscuits or barbecue. "We're told all the time by visitors that our food offerings are the best of any festival they attend each year," said Festival Director Roxanne Wallis. Twenty five local church and civic groups prepare a wide variety of dishes each year giving visitors the opportunity to taste some catfish or barbecue chicken among other Southern favorites. The Festival of Entertainment is set at the Summerhouse Stage, which will have a nearly non-stop parade of entertainment all weekend long. There will be dance groups as well as artists performing country, bluegrass, gospel and blues. Continuing their string of 31 years of performing at the festival, the Bullsboro Bluegrass Band will kick off performances on Saturday morning. Powers' Crossroads was the brainchild of Tom Powers, who founded the festival in 1971. His vision was to have an annual gathering of artists and craftspeople at his boyhood home, the Powers' plantation. The festival is now managed by Coweta Festivals, a non-profit group made up of five Coweta County civic organizations. The festival succeeds every year due to the work of hundreds of volunteers and proceeds from each year's event is returned to the community through a variety of projects. Powers' Crossroads will run from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1 and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and military personnel, $2 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under the age of five. There is plenty of free parking available with shuttle service to the main gate. Powers' Crossroads is located on Ga. Highway 34, 12 miles west of Newnan.
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