Features Editor

The Jean Lake Festival will celebrate its 20th year in 2002 and special events are planned to make this year’s festival a very special one.

Melinda Liles, chairperson of the Jean Lake Festival

committee, said a variety of entertainment has been planned which should appeal to all ages.

The Jean Lake Festival will be held earlier than in year’s past because of several conflicts the first weekend in May.

The dates for this year’s festival are April 27 and 28 and both days will be packed with entertainment.

"Everyone enjoys the Jean Lake Festival because of the quality of work done by the artists and craftsmen who attend year after year," Liles said. "We have planned entertainment for both days in the amphitheater so visitors to the festival can take a break, sit down,

relax and be entertained."

The music planned for Saturday is from two ends of the spectrum, both wonderful but very different.

At 1 p.m., Catherine Allard and her students at Troy State University will perform songs from

the opera "Sweet Betsy from Pike."

An hour later, the amphitheater stage be the setting for bluegrass picking and singing.

Calvin Bodiford and the Southern Strings also will provide porch music during the day.

During the afternoon, there will be a jam session at the museum’s train station, beginning around 2 p.m. and going until. Everyone who enjoys picking and singing is invited to join the fun, Liles said.

On Saturday night, a street dance will be held in the museum parking lot.

The dance will begin at 6 p.m. with the Fabulous Shades providing the music.

"We are fortunate to have a band the caliber of the Fabulous Shades," Liles said. "Anyone who knows anything about them will tell you they are absolutely fabulous."

Tables are being sold for $100 each and groups and businesses are encouraged to get a table for their employees or their members.

Admission the the street dance is $10. However, those who attended the Jean Lake Festival will be admitted on their $5 festival ticket.

Sunday’s entertainment will not skip a beat. Beginning at 1 p.m. the Troy Children’s Chorus will perform in the amphitheater followed by the Charles Henderson High School Jazz Band.

Any musicians who would like to entertain at the Jean Lake Festival should call 722-0165.