PICKENS — The Hagood Mill Historic Site will host the 10th annual Kids Fest concert and YAMS Talent Show on March 18 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The event’s emcees and hosts — Gregg “Buffalo” Barfield, Michele Barfield and Steve McGaha — will present a wide variety of instrument workshops and musical performances for kids of all ages.

The hands-on Instrument Petting Zoo will be an opportunity for kids of all ages to get up close and personal with a musical instrument and explore a variety of traditional instruments in a hands-on way.

Adult pickers and YAM students will demonstrate how to hold, play, and experience these instruments under the tent all day. There will be traditional instruments like guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle, but also many mountain and jug band instruments like spoons, bones, washboards, washtub bass, and many more.

As part of the ongoing tradition of “Instrument Workshops at Kidsfest,” there will also be a craft table located in the petting zoo where kids can build their own “make and take kazoo” while supplies last.

All kids are invited to participate in the second annual “Mountain Music & Milling Games” from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Teams of kids will take part in a variety of traditional mountain games like Sack Races, Tug-of-War, Jump the Creek, Ball in the Cup, and Wheelbarrow Races.

Students in the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program representing many of the area’s schools will be performing throughout the day beginning at 10:45 a.m. and will also include special performances by the Sweet Potato Pie Kids featuring YAM students.

A Traditional Bluegrass and Old-Time Talent Show sponsored by the co-host group Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music (POSAM) is at 2:45 p.m. The show is open to all youth, high school age and under. Registration will be at YAM schools or from 10:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at Hagood Mill on the day of the festival.

Volunteers from various Pickens County Fire Departments will be on hand providing kid friendly safety demonstrations along with teaching the proper techniques and safety strategies crucial to survival if confronted with a home fire situation.

The Pickens County Rescue Squad will perform a vehicle extraction demonstration showcasing the essential tools utilized in freeing trapped victims involved in automobile accidents.

Hagood Mill is located at 138 Hagood Mill Road and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The parking fee is $5 but admission is free.

The Hagood Mill Historic Site will host the 10th annual Kids Fest concert and YAMS Talent Show on March 18 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_026.jpgThe Hagood Mill Historic Site will host the 10th annual Kids Fest concert and YAMS Talent Show on March 18 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Courtesy photo

Staff Report