Updated: Nashville band headlines arts festival

Published 3:43 pm Friday, June 7, 2013

The Fultondale Arts Council will be displaying both Alabama artists and musicians, as well as more weathered Nashville acts, in its third time hosting the Black Creek Arts Festival on Saturday.

With more than 50 artists who will be presenting their work, and with multiple musicians originating both locally and from out of state, the festival is taking a giant leap this year. Kara Kennedy, a member of the council, is excited for the progression of the festival from previous years.

By bringing in artists from all over the state of Alabama, Kennedy says that it gives these artists an “opportunity to showcase their artwork.”

The festival gives the council an “opportunity to showcase our own talent right here in our own backyard,” Kennedy added, and that  doesn’t stop with the art that will be presented.

Artists will be putting their artwork up for competition with other art contributors for prizes. These will be given in respect to creativity and talent. In addition, there will be artwork available for purchase to the public.

Local musical acts will also be performing throughout the duration of the festival, including gospel group Cletus and the Old Timers, a band which includes Fultondale city councilman Tommy Loden, who will be followed by Rick and Jilda Watson of Empire.

Other musical acts will include Donita Newman of Warrior and Cory Johnson of Nashville, and the Nashville headlining act, country and Americana group Runaway Home, consisting of music veterans Mark Elliot, Gary Culley and Lisa McCarter.

In addition to the lineup that has been presented by the council, there will also be other surprise guests performing during the day.

“The level of artists and musicians shows how much the festival has grown,” Kennedy said of the program that has been developed for this year’s festival as compared to previous years.

The growth of the festival still lends to a strong family-friendly and local environment for the community. Children are allowed to create hands-on artwork while at the festival that they can take home, and the music and art lends to enjoyment for people of all ages.

The festival is free to the general public and will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Black Creek Park in Fultondale. Food vendors will also be on hand.

Directions and other information regarding the Black Creek Arts Festival is available at www.fultondaleartscouncil.org.

Note: This update includes corrections to a name and the city of residence of two of the musicians.