The Byron Herbert Reece Society is sponsoring a Southern Literary Trail “Trailfest” event on Saturday, May 18, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Reece Farm and Heritage Center, located one mile north of Vogel State Park on U.S. Highway 129.
Admission is free, and the public is cordially invited to participate and help us celebrate Georgia’s Appalachian Poet/Novelist through the arts. Included in the day’s activities are musical and dramatic presentations, storytelling, culinary art, poetry readings, and visual art. Most of these presentations will take place in or near the group pavilion.
Rev. Keith Jones will emcee the program and will contribute to the storytelling segment. Reece’s nephew, Terry Reece, will share recollections of his Uncle Hub. David Brose, a folklorist associated with the John C. Campbell Folk School and an accomplished musician specializing in the banjo, will provide music. Jackie Elsner, a vocalist who has set many of Reece’s poems to old ballad tunes, will also contribute to the program. The poetry reading segment will feature five of the winners in previous poetry contests sponsored by the Society.
A dramatic presentation of Reece’s works is planned, including a special visit by an actor portraying the poet. Al Garnto, a Union County artist who has specialized in outdoor and folk art, and Dick Aunspaugh, retired chair of the Young Harris College Art Department, will be displaying and discussing some of their works. Also, a culinary artist will be on hand to demonstrate and explain the art of cooking with an Appalachian flavor.
Refreshments will be available for purchase, provided by the Union County High School Swim Team Booster Club.
The Welcome Center’s gift shop and museum will be open for visitation, as will the Farm’s exhibits area. The admission fee for touring the exhibits will be waived in lieu of a donation by visitors.
