Bremen BRIDGE Festival to Help Combat Drug Usage in West Georgia

/PRNewswire/ -- The City of Bremen will usher in summer with the Bremen BRIDGE Festival on Saturday, May 9. This annual family celebration benefits BRIDGE, a West Georgia program designed to Build Recovery in Drug Gripped Environments. The theme of this year's event is "Bremen is building a BRIDGE and working to get over it." Activities will include a 5K Fun Run, a children's bike ride with bike safety course, a children's arts and crafts area, live performances by local artists and churches and food vendors. Visitors will also have the chance to learn about living healthier with on-site information booths and complimentary basic health screenings.

"It's important that we teach our children the benefit of living well, including saying no to drugs," said Dr. William Parrish, a physician with Primary Care of Bremen and an event sponsor. "It's an issue that affects the entire community, but is also one we can help resolve together."

Georgia, with its extensive network of highways, large coastal line, and airport connections is a major location for drug trafficking. In smaller communities, such as Bremen, the effects can be devastating.

"Programs such as BRIDGE enable us to work as a community to both improve the health and help prevent relapse for those affected by drug abuse," added Dr. Parrish.

Proceeds for the Family Fun Day will go in support of BRIDGE. Activities will take place in downtown Bremen at the Public Service Building from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include:

-- 5K Fun Run with prizes for top finishers ($10 donation/entry fee)
-- Children's Bike Ride and Bike Safety Course ($5 donation/entry fee)
-- Children's Craft Area
-- Kid's Play area including Inflatables
-- Festival Food Vendors
-- Live musical performances
-- And more...



To become a sponsor, vendor or to register for the fun run or ride, please call 404-961-2230 or email interest to: bridge@co-pinteractive.com. Additional information is available at www.co-pinteractive.com/clients/bridge.

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

Highly Anticipated 3rd Annual 'Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival' Kicks Off Sept. 19

PRNewswire/ -- Join the Jekyll Island Authority, the Georgia Shrimp Association, and the Georgia Tourism Foundation for the only event in the Southeast dedicated to celebrating two southern favorites - shrimp and grits!

Set amid Jekyll Island's picturesque Jekyll Island Club National Landmark Historic District, "Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival," will kick off on Friday, Sept. 19, at 5:30 p.m. Festivities will continue throughout the weekend, beginning Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday at noon.

The popular annual festival features delicious food, exciting shrimp & grits cooking competitions, great music, and a vendor area complete with arts, crafts, antiques, and collectables. "Uncle Bubba," the brother of southern celebrity-chef Paula Deen, will even make a special guest appearance on Saturday from 10:00 AM-12:00 noon. And to add to the excitement, guests can participate in the 3rd Annual Wild Georgia Golf Tournament, take fun-filled shrimp boat excursions, and play in the "Family Fun Zone" created just for kids. The winner of the 2006 and 2007 World Frisbee Dog Championship will showcase his skills, and area bands will perform throughout the weekend.

_____
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

Native American Festival at Indian Springs September 13-14

GFP Note: Join in the fun at Indian Springs on September 13 and 14 for the 2008 Native American Festival. It's only a day-tripper away!

The annual Native American Festival at Indian Springs promises to be better than ever this year. Come listen to the old stories, see the colorful Native American regalia, and enjoy the music. Hours are 10 am - 5 pm on September 13 and 14.

Free parking across the street from the Indian Spring Museum/Hotel.

Donations:
Adults: $5
12 and under: $3
Infants: Free

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Inaugural Savannah Craft Brew Fest on August 29-30

The Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) recently announced that Savannah will present the inaugural Savannah Craft Brew Fest on August 29-30, 2008 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.

The first ever Savannah Craft Brew Fest will feature the best of Georgia craft beers and food pairings on Friday, August 29 at 6 p.m. in the Ballroom at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.

On Saturday, August 30, the Craft Brew Grand Tasting event will be held on the Esplanade of the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., followed by price fixed dinners from area restaurants featuring delicious beer and food pairings. There will be live, regional entertainment, local food vendors and souvenir items for sale.

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Get Away to Great Past Times During Labor Day Weekend at Powers' Crossroads Festival in Newnan, Ga., Aug. 30 - Sept. 1

PRNewswire/ -- The Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival opens for its 38th consecutive year on Labor Day Weekend with new entertainment as it continues to celebrate its proud tradition as host to innovative art exhibitions in this West Georgia community.

"It's a great opportunity for festival visitors to dial back the hands of time and experience a real country fair set in the rolling woodlands of this west Georgia community," said Carol Chancy, the festival's executive director.

Held every year on the 100 acres of historic Powers Plantation in Newnan, Ga., near Franklin, Ga., the Powers' Crossroads Festival will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and will wrap up at 5 p.m. Labor Day afternoon, Sept. 1, after a 2 p.m. Miss Coweta County Pageant, a preliminary event for the Miss West Georgia competition in January 2009.

Festival hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and military personnel, $3 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 4 and under. Parking is free and complimentary shuttle service is available from the parking areas.

Visit www.newnan.com/powers for additional information and driving directions.

With a proud heritage as one of the best events in the Southeast, Powers brings back again this year its local Rising Star talent competition on the Festival's opening day.

Beginning at 10 a.m. 30 contestants will vie for the title of the 2008 Powers' Crossroads Rising Star. Contestants will compete in one of three age categories: 15-18 years old; 19-34; and, 35 plus.

This year's three celebrity judges for the rising star competition are "Mid-Days" radio personality J. D. from Midwest Georgia's music station, Magic 98.1, WMGP-FM in Newnan; Jessica Scott, Miss West Georgia 2008; and Linda Walker, owner of the talent agency Speer Entertainment and Really Big Productions, Inc., an entertainment production company.

They will select a winner from each age group, and from that group of three, the judges -- with some audience participation -- will select the 2008 Powers' Crossroads Rising Star.

Each age group winner will receive cash prizes and will perform an Encore Show Monday, Sept. 1 prior to the Miss Coweta County competition.

Visitors to this year's festival can also find perennial favorites in shopping for unique arts and crafts. Each of the more than 200 artisans showcasing their work for sale is selected by judges during the course of the year.

Judges for this year's art competition are Amanda Dumas-Hernandez, a Newnan native who is currently an instructor at the Savannah College of Art & Design's Atlanta campus, and Claudia McDavid, the Art Partners Program Officer for the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

This year, visitors may also see a limited viewing of art purchased by the Festival between 1971-2007.

Each year the Festival art judges select several pieces to purchase as exemplary of that particular year's offerings at the Festival. Known as the Purchase Awards, there are currently more than 100 works of art in this collection.

The Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival is organized and produced by five local non-profit organizations as their annual major fundraiser with net proceeds divided among the organizations. They are: Newnan Coweta Chamber of Commerce, Newnan Coweta Arts Association, Coweta 4H, Newnan Coweta Jaycees and The Pilot Club of Newnan

Presenting sponsors include Buffalo Rock Beverages and Food Services, Newnan, Ga., West Georgia Technical College, LaGrange, Ga., Toyota of Newnan.

-----

www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Georgia Wine Country Festival

The GEORGIA WINE COUNTRY FESTIVAL, Dahlonega's Original Wine Festival, returns for the 7th year on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, to Three Sisters Vineyards and Winery. The two-day event welcomes back wineries from around the state of Georgia for complimentary wine tastings, including Boutier Winery, Georgia Wines, Three Sisters, and Chestatee, and sponsors The Buckhead Coffee Company, Dahlonega's Fudge Factory, Pura Vida USA Resorts to celebrate the art, wine, food, and lifestyle of Georgia Wine Country.

Musical guests include LD and Marty Nix, Holly and Curtis Jones, Route 66, the Buzzard Mountain Boys, and the Appalachain Saint Andrew’s Pipe & Drum Corps. Various artists will have booths, and John "Cornbread" Anderson is special folk artist guest. Gourmet coffees and teas by Buckhead Coffee Company and Chocolates by Dahlonega's Fudge Factory will be available for purchase. Pura Vida's Chef Dartin Roberts, Atlanta Chef John Izzo and North Georgia Chef Kelly Finucan will create specialties for sale at the event, and Three Sisters will offer Sweet Grass Dairy cheese plates.

Vineyard wagon rides by Gold City Corral will be a part of the entertainment. SEBA (Southeastern Bluegrass Association) will conduct a fund raiser auction during the event.

The Georgia Wine Country Festival, Three Sisters' signature food and wine and music/fun festival, will be held rain or shine. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday, and daily admission is $20 for wine lovers with tickets available at the gate. Wine tastings include keepsake wine glass. Call 706-865-9463 or visit www.ThreeSistersVineyards.com for more info.