A couple of weeks ago, while extolling the promise of seeing “Crooked Rivers,” the county’s entertaining historical drama, in a new home in Woodbine, I suggested that I would have offer Kingsley and Mary some suggestions about how they might lay claim to Crooked Rivers’ offerings as well, at least partially blunting Woodenia’s sharpened claim to historical superiority. Although a couple of musings intervened, this week, with another holiday celebration approaching, brings me back to this point.
One thing that is so attractive about our community is that we have festivals. Lots of festivals - celebrating everything from our creativity (the Creative Palette Convention in February) to our national nativity (the 4th of July Celebration); from decapods (the Rock Shrimp Festival in October) to tributes for underwater sailors (the National Memorial Service for WWII Subvets in November). And lots of other celebrations in between, that take place in venues in or near St. Marys, Kingsland, and Woodbine.
Now this may be largess or a conceit on my part, but I can imagine how having an evening presentation of a “Crooked Rivers” offering would not only add to, but enhance all the other activities and events of a festival weekend, or of a weekend before or after one of our many festivals. This type of event can add visitors, local and tourist. It can add a layer of attractiveness and cultural heritage to the front line marketing. And here is the best part: given a suitable location nearby the festival events, it doesn’t detract or betray the event’s purported celebration points, since all of them are featured in one way or another in the Crooked Rivers’ discussion of community history.
Here is the central tenet: I am encouraging all of the planners of every community festival to look at their logistics and see if the agenda can incorporate a part or all of the “Crooked Rivers” phenomenon. If you don’t have a physical location for it, what about one nearby that can be adapted? If the Waterfront Theatre is not going to be a reality for a while, is there an area in an RV park or commercial center nearby St. Marys where “Crooked Rivers” could reside temporarily? If a new Visitor’s Center is in the works for Kingsland, how about a designing in a location in or near the Center for performances and plays as part of the plan? There is no reason that “Crooked Rivers” cannot offer its unique and crowd-pleasing blend of history and entertainment more than once a year and in more than one spot. The only impediment is if those who plan local events don’t take the time to build “Crooked Rivers” into the festival fun.
Speaking of festivals and fun, a portion of “Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three” will be offered as part of this year’s St. Marys Summer Sizzle at the waterfront park in St. Marys on Saturday (July 15) at 6:45 p.m. Relive fishing with the Deputy, gain a renewed understanding of Grandma’s hands, and get inspired by songs like “Seventeen” and “Country Raised.” Don’t miss this chance to discover some of the charms of “Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three” in downtown St. Marys at one of our fabulous community festivals.
Opportunities for this week and the future: this week is time to find free stuff to do for you and the kids. All summer long, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am, at Regal Cinema locations in Jax, kids can view select G and PG movies (like “Babe” and “Wallace and Gromit”) during the Free Family Film Festival; for the cost of a short ride to St. Augustine, you can enjoy the free Music By The Sea series at the Beach Sea Pavilion on 6.28 starting at 7 p.m.; also check out the free concert at St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion on 6.29 from 7 – 9 p.m. featuring Bob & Joline’s Friends of Mine Band; add some culture to the weekend with a trip to the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art on 7.2 for the Bank of America Free Family Day activities from noon to 4 p.m. Finally, not free, but worth the admission will be “Superman Returns” in theatres starting 6.28 (with midnight sneak peeks in some locations Tuesday at 12 a.m.).
If you have ideas or events you want me to share with readers, send me a note at pkraack1@tds.net.
6.28.06
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