County gears up for Rowan 250 Fest

Organizers of Rowan 250 Fest have switched into high gear with the kickoff of the celebration less than two months away.

The kickoff will be held April 12, exactly one year before Rowan County and Salisbury reach their 250th birthdays.

A Dixieland band, a balloon release and several major announcements are planned.

The Rowan 250 Fest Steering Committee plans to complete details of the kickoff event when it meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the County Administrative Offices Building, 130 W. Innes St. The meeting is open to the public.

The committee will host mayors and top town officials on March 6 to discuss participation.

The committee is continuing to seek volunteers from throughout the county to work on various committees.

Richard Perkins will take charge of organizing a big parade in April 2003.

Chip Hester, newly named head coach at Catawba College, and George Johnson, newly named head coach at Livingstone College, will co-chair the beard-growing contest, called “Brothers of the Brush.”

Swanetta Fink, city clerk for Salisbury, will be in charge of “First Fest Night”to be held at the Bell Tower.

Fink and Jamima DeMarcus are coordinating activities at churches throughout the area. A special church service is planned for April 13, 2003.

Other activities being organized include an oral history presentation, handbell choirs, music, dancing and a huge county-wide bell-ringing to coincide with the birthday.

First Bank on West Innes Street has donated space on its second floor where Rowan 250 Fest organizers will keep their headquarters.

In other administrative matters, the committee is seeking applications for a part-time position as an administrative coordinator. The position would pay around $12 a hour for four hours a day, four days a week.

The committee recently received copyrights for the official 250 Fest logo and for Wheeler, the mascot.

Kaye Hirst, steering committee chairwoman, recently reported that the organization has received $100,000 and spent slightly more than $49,000.

The major sponsors will be announced at the kickoff event on April 12.

Contact Jessie Burchette at jburchette@salisburypost.com  or 704-797-4254.