It’s the time of year when thousands will flock to Coweta County to stroll along the pine-straw covered paths beneath the shade providing trees for a weekend of shopping, eating and entertainment.

Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival opens for the 36th consecutive year on Labor Day weekend celebrating its proud tradition as host to innovative art exhibitions.

Held every year at the 137 acres of historic Powers Plantation site in Newnan, Ga., near Franklin, Powers' Crossroads Festival will open on Saturday, September 2 and will continue through Labor Day, September 4.

Beginning in 1971 under the direction of artist Tom Powers, Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival quickly developed a loyal following as a ground for viewing and buying innovative works of art. For over a generation visitors have found works of pottery, metal craft, sculpture, painting, fabric craft, glass, woodwork, etching, and much more.

The diversity of art on display in the open air 'gallery' gave Powers' Crossroads Festival a reputation for being soil for harvesting unique art. At times, the festival has been ranked one of the top attractions in the Southeast. As many as 70,000 visitors have flowed through the tented aisles to view artists' wares.

Over 250 juried artists and craftsmen from all over the United States will exhibit and sell their creative work at this year’s event.

This year, visitors may also see a limited viewing of a collection of over 200 pieces of art purchased by the festival from 1971-2005.

Each year the festival art judges select several pieces to purchase as exemplary of that particular year's offerings at the festival.

After 35 years, this group of art known as the Judges Purchase Awards has grown to more than 200 works. The varied collection spans the range of interpretive styles of art. Included in the works are pieces using traditional and modern and experimental forms of artistic expression.

Many of the subjects are traditional country motifs like rural landscapes, but by the varied artists' interpretations, the scenes are seen through many exotic points of view. Abstract watercolors evoke a sense of being in the country, mixed media collages mimic the tradition of quilting.

The collection may be seen at the Festival Gallery, in a renovated fire station, during limited hours. No other festival of this type owns such a collection. The Festival Board of Directors plans to make this collection more accessible during the coming year.

A new event being offered at this year’s festival is the addition of the Powers' Crossroads Idol contest. The contest, which will be held September 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature up to 50 contestants vying to take home top honors and prizes.

Scheduled to serve as judges are Bill Quinn, partner of Doppler Studios in Atlanta; Heather Lynn, radio personality for Magic 98.1; and Scott and Charlie, The Car Guys from Hi Octane Radio on AM 720. The Car Guys will share one judge’s spot. The contest will be held at the Summerhouse Stage at the festival grounds and will be broadcast live on WCOH, AM 1400.

The Idol contest will feature two rounds of judging. During the first round all singing hopefuls will sing no more than 90 seconds of their chosen song. The judges will select the top five for each age group and those chosen will return for the second and final round. Age categories include 15-18 years, 19-35 years and 35 years and older. The judges will select a "Judges' Favorite" in each age category who will receive $100 and prizes.

Judges and audience voting will determine the grand prize winner, The Powers' Crossroads Idol. That performer will receive $200 and prizes. All winners will perform an encore show on Labor Day.

Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival will be held September 2-4. Gates are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Saturday through Monday. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and military personnel, $3 for children ages 5-12 and free for children age 4 and under. Free parking is available with free shuttle bus to the main gate. Powers' Crossroads is located on Georgia Highway 34, about 12 miles west of Newnan.

For more information visit http://www.newnan.com/powers.

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