TroyFest entertainment is going to be bigger than ever this year with a jazz fest, local entertainment and Troy’s first ever film festival.

Catherine Jordan, administrative assistant for the city of Troy, said the jazz fest will kick off around 10 a.m. April 25.

“The entertainment this year is going to be a lot of fun. We are going to kick off Saturday morning at 10 with an open rehearsal for our special concert that night,” Jordan said. “Then, throughout the afternoon, we are going to feature several high school jazz bands from around the Wiregrass.”

Jordan said since the jazz fest was such a big hit at the TroyFest last year, the Troy Arts Council decided to bring it back this year.

“The jazz fest was a big hit last year, so we decided to bring it back this year, with even more to show the community,” Jordan said.

Ray Smith, the musical director for the evening’s main event, said the evening concert will feature a well-known singer throughout the jazz circle.

“Our main event is going to start that evening around 6 p.m., with the University’s No. 1 big band playing the music of the Harry James Band,” Smith said. “We will have Jilla Webb, a jazz singer from Nashville, performing along with our band.”

Smith said Webb’s mother was the original singer from the Harry James Band.

“She has the original sheet music from the 1940s, and she will be singing off of that. She is a very talented musician and this will be a real treat for the community,” Smith said.

Troy’s first film festival will begin around 7:30 p.m. in the studio across from the Pike Cultural Arts Center. In addition, artwork from local schools will be showcased in the studio, and scholarships will be awarded to winners in the high school senior division.

TroyFest will feature local talents on Sunday such as First Baptist Church celebration choir, Brundidge Twirlers, SheBang! cloggers, In His Steps dance studio and a presentation of different homemade instruments by some students from Troy Elementary School.

“We will begin at 1:30 Sunday afternoon in the studio across from the Pike Cultural Arts Center,” Jordan said. “The only entertainment held in the studio that afternoon will be the performers from Troy Elementary School. After that, the rest of the performances will be held on the square.”

Jordan said she hopes everyone will come to TroyFest.

“The TroyFest is always a wonderful event that brings art to our community, and this year will be a great year to enjoy the festival and just have a good time,” Jordan said. “It’s a great time to showcase local business and have fun with the whole family. We hope everyone can come out and enjoy the fun.”