Time to ‘gather at the well’ in Glenwood

Published 10:04 pm Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Once again, it’s time for the Festival at the Well in downtown Glenwood.

Festivities will get underway at 9 a.m. Saturday with the annual Festival at the Well parade, followed by opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m.

The children’s beauty pageant at 10 a.m. is a great beginning of a day of arts, crafts, good things to eat and non-stop live entertainment.

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Wayne Gibson, Festival chair, said the entertainment schedule features and all-star lineup of entertainers unmatched in previous years including Grammy Award-winning songwriter and entertainer and Crenshaw County native, Bobby Tomberlin.

Tomberlin will be joined by his wife, Candi Carpenter, who is an outstanding vocalist. Shayne Fair, well-known Los Angeles musician, will also perform during the morning hours.

“Crenshaw County is proud to call Bobby a native son and our little festival is honored to have his fine show participate,” said Festival spokesman Steve Holmes. “The trio will be on a tight schedule. They have to perform at another event an hour away by 12:30 p.m. So, that’s a reason to join us early.”

In the afternoon, renowned gospel singer, Harlan Burton will take center stage.

“We’re glad to have Harlan back with us by popular demand,” Gibson said. “He will perform from 1 until 2 o’clock. The rest of the day will be filled with local talent.”

The streets and grounds surrounding Glenwood’s landmark artesian well will be filled with food vendors, arts and crafts booths and activities for the kids.

Arts and crafts provide browsing and buying opportunities and the Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department will have barbecue, hamburgers, hotdogs and fries to ward off the hungries.

Most festivals call it a day when the sun goes down but not Glenwood’s Festival at the Well.

When the sun goes down, it’s “shake a leg” time in Glenwood.

In keeping with Festival tradition, an old fashioned street dance will begin at 8 p.m.

“The live music for the street dance is Benji Sanders and the County Line Band,” Gibson said. “They are a great band to dance to or listen to. Everybody will enjoy them.

“We invite everybody to come on out and support The Festival at the Well. The proceeds go to support the Flowing Well Foundation’s scholarship fund for graduating high school seniors with roots in Glenwood.”