STATESBORO — The United States Marine Band will perform in the Emma Kelly Theater in a special free concert in conjunction with Celebration South Music Festival on Saturday. This year’s festival will prove to be bigger and better than it’s ever been before.  

The concert begins at 2 p.m. and will last until approximately 3:15 p.m.  There will be a reserved section for Averitt Center season patrons.

“The event is free to the public, but people do need to get a ticket so that we don’t overcrowd the theater,” said Averitt Center director Tim Chapman.

Before the music festival kicks off at noon, the Statesboro Farmers Market will open for the season from 9 a.m.-noon. The Statesboro High School Chorus will provide entertainment.

According to organizer Debra Chester, “We have lots of farmers coming with fresh locally grown food, locally prepared foods, arts and crafts, as well as a special market cafe called the Garden Table. Everyone should come and get to ‘know your farmer; know your food.’”

In addition to the Marine Band, there will be 14 groups entertaining in downtown Statesboro starting at noon and lasting until 10 p.m. It’s a good time to bring a hearty appetite because there will be a barbecue cook-off located next to Vandy’s restaurant on West Vine Street.  Children are encouraged to come enjoy the Kiddie Corral located on West Vine Street, behind Vandy’s.

In preparation for the festival and opening of the Farmers Market, everyone is encouraged to come to the Averitt Center for the Arts on April 17, at 7 p.m. for the opening reception of Celebration South: Art in the Low Country art exhibit.  The reception is free to the public and the exhibit will feature local artists’ work.  Their work  reflects their interpretation of Celebration South as a complement to the annual music festival.   

In the event of rain, the music stage will be moved inside to the warehouse located south of the post office on South College Street.  For more information and a map of the event locations, pick up a copy of Connect Statesboro at the Averitt Center for the Arts or local eateries.

The Averitt Center for the Arts is not a government agency and does not receive unrestricted funds from grants or local, state or federal funds. A large part of our funding is from individual supporters. The Averitt Center for the Arts is a 501 (c) 3 organization. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations for the Georgia general assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner – The National Endowment for the Arts.