TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL
HIDDENITE CELEBRATION of the ARTS

Dates: September 17 - 24, 2005
Place: Streets of Hiddenite, NC
An entire week of activities is planned with a day full day of
celebrating on Saturday, September 24.

HIDDENITE CELEBRATION WEEK '05 IS ANOTHER ROUSING SUCCESS

The Hiddenite Center's twenty-fourth annual Hiddenite Celebration of the ARTS is now history, and what a rousing success the entire event was! Thousands of people turned out to enjoy the preliminary events and the annual day-long street festival which was a huge success. The weather on Saturday was a beautiful sun shiny day! It was a little warm, but it was dry! The entire community and beyond enjoyed the annual event and spent quality time with their friends and family.

The theme for this year's Celebration was "Hiddenite Awakening." The goal was to help awake the public to the arts - music, arts, classes, history, threatre, dance, exhibits, and programs.

This year's Celebration kicked-off with the annual Square Dance hosted by the Emerald Squares at the Center's Educational Complex on Saturday evening, September 17.

On Tuesday morning, September 20 the Celebration moved into high gear with the Senior Adult Day. The wonderful music and stories of Laura Boosinger, one of North Carolina's treasured artist, led the group in memories and reflections on their childhood and parenthood. A delicious buffet breakfast was served and enjoyed by the one-hundred and twenty seniors and sponsors in attendance. The large group of Seniors enjoyed games, meeting folks, and entertainment.

This year's climatic day was blessed with perfect weather, and more than ninety artists and craftspersons brought their wares for an enthusiastic and eager audience. More than a fifteen food vendors satisfied the hunger pains of the unusually large crowd in attendance at this year's event. Some forty folk demonstrations and four full stages of entertainment made the day one to remember! The day was strong - beginning to end! This year's attendance was reflective of last year's large attendance. "We strive to do quality programming to serve our public, and the Center's staff is extremely pleased with the overall quality and thrust of this year's edition of the Celebration," remarked dwaine coley. "With a wonderful staff who plans every detail, the day was picture perfect. We must say thank you to the host of folks who freely give of their time and energy to make the day possible - those who hosted in the museum, manned the doors, tended the welcome booth, provided music and stories on the stages, served cold drinks, provided for the needs of others, and labored (and I mean labored) to set up and clean up. Thank you, volunteers!"

"I must tip my hat to the Center's staff, Karen Walker, Allison Houchins, Peggy Martin, Stan Durmire, Elmeta Adams, Connie Millsaps, and our support staff and volunteers. These wonderful volunteers helped with set up and teardown, which was laborous to say the least - Nathan Glad, Brandon Barnes, Michael Long, and Adam's Funeral Home staff member John Jarrell. A host of volunteers and cooperative community folks guarantee the success of this annual venture," commented the Center's Executive Director. "Without groups like the Emerald Squares and the wonderful RA's and GA's and their leaders from Sulphur Springs Baptist Church we would not attempt such a massive undertaking. Thanks too to good community residents who graciously cooperate with the activities and a wonderful host of volunteers who rally to make the day memorable for everyone. The Center is deeply grateful to all who participate and work to make things happen."

The participation of numerous artists and craftspersons made the day most enjoyable for the entire region. Special presentations of North Carolina heritage arts made the day unique and special. Visitors from surrounding areas particularly commented on the unique nature of these special exhibitors and artists.

"The Hiddenite Celebration of the ARTS is put away for another year, but the planning and evaluation have begun for next year's festivities. Next year will celebrate the Center's twenty-fifth anniversary, so plans are already underway. The Center welcomes input from participants and visitors," concluded the Center's Executive Director.

The Hiddenite Celebration of the ARTS was made possible in part through the generous funding of the Alexander County government, North Carolina Arts Council's General Support and Grassroots grants, the R. Y. and Eileen Lackey Sharpe Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Center is most appreciative of the businesses and individuals who support the Celebration through the annual tabloid. These funds bear some of the Center's expenses for the set up and staging of the festival. Also special thanks to Sipe's Lumber and Mountain View Farms.