3rd Annual Bridge Park Arts and Music Festival

Sunday, October 19th, 2:30 PM til dark

The 3rd Annual Bridge Park Arts and Music Festival will take place on Sunday, October 19th, starting at 2:30 PM in Sylva's Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.

The event began three years ago as a fundraiser for the Bridge Park Project, a community effort to transform the underused municipal parking lot area into a thriving public space and performance venue. This year's event will serve as the "grand opening" of the new pavilion and footbridge.

Since the Bridge Park Project began it's planning and fundraising in 2006, over $100,000 has been raised and a timberframe pavilion constructed, and the Town of Sylva has constructed a pedestrian bridge from the Bridge Park to Poteet Park and repaved the municipal parking lot.

Fundraising is ongoing for the park, with landscaping yet to be completed. The Sylva Garden Club donated $5,000 to a landscape fund, and there are plans to begin the grounds work in the weeks after the festival.

The festival will feature live music all day under the new pavilion. In addition to music, there will be an array of eclectic art activities, including a magician, hula-hooping demonstrations with audience participation, and various artists and crafters demonstrating their skills. Food will include a taco stand by Guadalupe Cafe, Root beer from Heinzelmannchen Brewery, and a hot dog stand.

There will be a dedication ceremony at 4:00 PM to acknowledge many of the contributions to the park. The Bridge Park Project committee will officially donate the pavilion to the Town of Sylva. Additionally, four memorial plaques that have been purchased for a $5,000 donation to the park will be dedicated to their honoraries. These include the Sylva Garden Club, Sylva Rotary Club, Dr. Perry Kelly, and Roger and Sue Bartlett.

Finally, during the dedication ceremony, the Sylva Garden Club will honor Elizabeth Dux, a longtime member of the club who passed away a couple of years ago. Three sugar maple trees will be planted in the park in her honor. This will serve as the beginning of the landscaping efforts, which will take place in the weeks after the festival.

Across the footbridge at Poteet Park, representatives from the "Walking the World" (WOW) program will be hosting a special kids art program. Children in attendance will have the opportunity to help make a one-of-a-kind banner for WOW and take home a priceless keepsake. All Jackson County elementary schools participate in the WOW program, and information will be available at the festival. This is a great time to learn more about this walking adventure and how parents can join the fun.

Music Line-up for Bridge Park Arts and Music Festival

• 2:30- 3:15 Suzuki Fiddlers group and Fairview Bluegrass Club (both children's groups)
• 3:15-4:00 Sugar Barnes
• 4:00-4:15 Dedication Ceremony
• 4:15-4:45 Kelly Timco Band
• 4:45- 5:30 Out of the Blue
• 5:30- 6:15 CIA
• 6:15- dark Cooking with Quanta