Published Monday, August 01, 2011

Powers' Festival readies for 41st Labor Day weekend activities By Sarah Fay Campbell

The Times-Herald

With expanded food selections and greatly enhanced entertainment planned for this year's Powers' Festival on Labor Day weekend, Coweta Festivals Inc. is once again emphasizing that Powers' is really three festivals in one.

They are the "Festival of Arts and Crafts," the "Festival of Food," and the "Powers' Festival Three Day Concert for Charity."

The three festivals of Powers' is not a new idea, but "I think that it kind of got lost along the way. So it has been freshened up now," said Pam Mayer, marketing director for the Powers' Festival.

This is the 41st year for the arts and crafts festival, which is held each Labor Day Weekend on the grounds of the historic Powers' plantation, on the Coweta/Heard county line. The festival is hosted by Coweta Festivals Inc., which is made up of five non-profit organizations: Newnan-Coweta Art Association, Coweta County 4-H, the Pilot Club, the Jaycees, and the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce.

The biggest change is the Three Day Concert for Charity.

There will be bands all three days on the main stage, performing country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, and Southern rock music. There will also be entertainment on more intimate side stages.

You can see the main stage schedule, and listen to songs from some of the featured performers, by visiting the festival website, www.powersfestival.org, and clicking on entertainment.

Food prepared by some of the member organizations, as well as several local non-profits and churches, has always been a mainstay of the festival.

This year, those food vendors will be joined by several additional commercial food vendors, serving food ranging from Hawaiian, Cuban, and Cajun to Philly cheese steaks, roasted corn and "tropical delights."

Lists of the food vendors are also available on the website.

"It's not to take away from the great member organizations," said Mayer. "But this is going to attract the festival foodies." The arts and crafts are, of course, what Powers' is known for.

This year, there is a particular focus on asking the artists to do demonstrations of their work throughout the festival.

There will also be special historical craft demonstrations, including blacksmithing, the grist mill, broom making, chair caning, and spinning.

Information on the artists and crafters, as well as contact information for many of them, is available on the festival website.

Coweta Festivals is also giving away a four-pack of festival tickets every Friday in August.

To enter, send an e-mail with your name, phone number, and e-mail address to cvb@coweta.ga.us or patty@homeatlast.net , with "powers tickets" in the subject line. If you do not have e-mail, you can fill out an entry form at the Coweta Visitors Center, located in the 1904 Coweta County Courthouse, in downtown Newnan. For more information, call 770-254-2627.

Everyone who registers for the free ticket giveaway will also be entered in a drawing for two gift baskets, full of items donated by downtown Newnan merchants. More than $900 worth of items have been donated for the two baskets, Mayer said.

We WELCOME Toyota of Newnan as one of our sponsors of the 2011 Powers' Festival.  We appreciate their support of Powers'  Festival and the support they give the community.  THANK YOU Toyota!!!   www.toyotaofnewnan.com

The food area of our website has been updated today and yummy to my tummy!  Festival Food at Powers's will make you smile this year!  FOOD VENDORS
Cry Baby Concessions
Blooming Onions, Tea, Lemonade

Bill’s Kettle Korn
Kettle Korn

Bayou Bistro
Shrimp and Grits, 7 inch Fried Shrimp Po Boy,
Cajun Grilled Chicken Po Boy,
Red Beans and Rice, Coke Products

Doo Dad's
Philly Cheese Steak, Fried Pickles,
Turkey Legs, Fish, Shrimp, Chicken Tenders,
Sausage, Fries, Onion Rings,
Water, Tea, Coke Products, Lemonade

Hawaii Party
Stir Fried Noodles, Fruit Plates,
Fried Oreos, Fried Pickles, Flavored Pop Corn,
Chocolate Dipped Frozen Cheese Cake,
Chocolate Dipped Fresh Frozen Fruits, 
 Cocktails (no alcohol), Frozen Coffee,
Frozen Lemonade, Smoothies, Lemonade,
Thai Tea, Tea, Iced Coffee, Coke Products
 
Hillbilly Cafe'
Fish, Chicken, or Shrimp Baskets, Corn Dogs,
Chicken on a Stick, Ribbon Fries (plain or loaded),
Hush Puppies, Hillbilly Funnel Cakes (toppings).

Hunt's Crazy Corn
Roasted Corn, Spicy Roasted Corn,
Loaded Baked Potatoes,
Coke Products, Water

Jean and Gene Foods, Inc.
Three Lemonade Stands

Joy and Randy's Back Porch Grill
Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches, Sausages,
Corn Dogs, French Fries, Chili Fries,
Cheese Fries, Chili Cheese Fries,
Lemonade, Tea, Coffee, 
Coke Products, Water

R & T Concessions
Pork Skins, Hot Dogs,
Corn Dogs, Sausage Dogs, Curly Fries,
Sweet Potato Curly Fries, Fried Dill Pickles,
Lemonade, Tea, Water, Coke Products

Rey’s Cuban Café
Cuban Sandwiches, Black Beans,
White Rice, Cuban Drinks

Themed Catering and Concessions
Roasted Corn, Jumbo Stuffed Baked Potatoes,
Grilled Ribeye Steak Sandwiches,
Giant Smoked Turkey Legs,
Mesquite Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Lemonade

Tropical Delights
Kabobs (Chicken, Shrimp, Pork),
Crazy Dogs (Puerto Rican Style Hot Dogs), 
Pastry Filled with Ground Beef, Chicken or Shrimp,
Baked Potatoes, Pina Colada (no alcohol),
Fruit Frappe (Smoothie), Coke Products, Water

Here are three of the bands that will be performing at the 2011 Powers' Festival - Concert For Charity.  Second Strike  www.powersfestival.com/entertainment/secondstrike.htm ... Ryan Robertson www.powersfestival.com/entertainment/ryanrobertson.htm  ...Paris Luna www.powersfestival.com/entertainment/parisluna.htm.   More posts to come.   Check out our website:  www.powersfestival.com and click on entertainment.  This is going to be an AWESOME year....!!!

The 2011 Powers' Festival has more special exhibits, demonstrations and services for you this year!   We have more artists demonstrating at their booths this year...(please check the exhibitor area of our website).  They will be demonstrating their art throughout the show.  We also have added more special demonstrations and exhibits.  The 3 Day Concert is taking shape as well..please check the website regularly as we will be updating regularly during the month of July.  Powers' Festival is stronger than ever....make plans now for your Labor Day Weekend....!!!

We are proud to WELCOME....The Coca Cola Company as one of our 2011 sponsors of Powers' Festival....!!!    This is going to be a GREAT year...!!!   

Over 95 juried exhibitors were added today to our website.  This is the first round of entries added to our website...next deadline is July 4th.  No exhibitors will be added after July 4th. 

We now have our "I'm A Powers' Festival Fan"available at the Coweta County Visitors Center....at the Wally Bees booth at Market Days on the square in Newnan....and at Print Source of Newnan.  If you stop by and pick-up one of these fans and bring it with you to the 2011 Powers' Festival  you will get your ticket for $5.00.  (one fan per ticket)  FUN FUN FUN   more locations will be announced soon!