The Cultural Arts Committee of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce has short- and long-term plans designed to bring greater community awareness to the cultural arts events available in Pike County.

Morgan Drinkard, committee chair, said the committee met this week and discussed developing a short-term calendar of events though December 2013 and a full calendar for 2014.

“As the committee began to list the upcoming cultural arts events, just through December, it was overwhelming, and overwhelming in a positive way, Drinkard said. “There were so many really great events. If people in Pike County say they are bored because they don’t have anything to do, then it’s their own fault.”

The mission of the Cultural Arts Committee is to foster the development of public participation in and exposure to the cultural arts in Pike County.

Drinkard said local cultural arts organizations and Troy University have upcoming events that offer free admission or are mildly ticketed.

As examples, the Peanut Butter Festival in Brundidge on Oct. 26 is free and the Pioneer Museum of Alabama’s Midnight Madness Halloween event is $4.

Drinkard said Troy University offers several seasonal events that will be free and other events are ticketed but affordable.

“People often say that they didn’t know about this event or that event,” she said. “So the committee is looking for ways to best get these events before the public. One way would be a comprehensive brochure that would include a full year of cultural arts events.”

Drinkard said the brochure would be available locally and also outside the area.

“The goal of the Cultural Arts Committee is for people in Pike County to stay home and enjoy what our community members, guests artists and students are providing. Many of these events are learning experiences as well as entertainment enjoyment.”

Drinkard said that Cultural Arts Committee’s short term goal is to make the community aware of the cultural arts events that are available through December.

“Then, the commitment is to a full calendar of cultural arts events for 2014,” she said. “We don’t want anybody to say there’s nothing to do in Pike County.”