Artists’ Alley 2010 explodes with over thirty juried and up and coming artists and craftsmen. Event coordinator Ken McLemore said “I’m very pleased that so many demonstrating artisans want to come to the Heritage Festival. These talented people will be on Fair Street which will allow ample space to demonstrate. I’d like to encourage the public to watch and ask questions while the craftsmen work because they enjoy sharing their knowledge.” This year’s Festival will be held on March 27, 2010 beginning at 8 a.m. in downtown Port Gibson. Information and applications on the Festival can be found at the website at www.portgibsonmainstreet.com.

Featured this year will be the 2009 Cellular South Emerging Artist Alexander Brown of Bentonia, MS. His busts of wildlife are life-size and incredibly detailed. He was given the prestigious award at the Chimneyville Crafts Festival in December and had been judged by a panel representing art museums, art collectors and consultants.

Local artist Henry Bufkin is a continuing member of the Mississippi Craftsmen’s Guild and is always a crowd pleaser with his large wooden bowls and pen and pencil sets. Harrison McGraw, of Centreville, makes chopped wooden bowls and spoons and will have his merchandise on display and for sale.

Returning this year is Bill Broadus of Southern Fried Artworks. Mr. Broadus is a metalworker from Clinton who specializes in yard art pieces and distinctive sculpture for the home or professional office. He was featured recently at the Meridian Museum of Art. Also returning this year will be Juliet Johnson, a potter from Jackson, who specializes in replicas of vintage butter bells. Her works also include delightfully colored soft glazes on traditional pottery pieces for the table.

Bill Pevey is a blacksmith from Crystal Springs who teaches and demonstrates blacksmithing with the Craftsmens’ Guild and the Mississippi Forge Council. He will be demonstrating his metal work beginning at 9 in the morning.

In addition to the various artisans, Artists’ Alley will host an exhibition of vintage gasoline and steam engines operated by the Mississippi Flywheelers. “This group was a big hit last year, especially with the kids” McLemore said.

A variety of food vendors will be set up on Market Street and the Arts and Crafts vendors will again be on Walnut Street. Main Street President Sharon Harvey is excited that the streets will be full of many activities. “We’re grateful to the events chairs for their hard work in getting the vendors lined up. Many of them return from year to year so we know that they enjoy the Port Gibson festival.”

Those who have signed up to volunteer to assist with Heritage Festival through Disney’s Give a Day/Get a Disney Day program will be contacted shortly with volunteer assignments or you can contact the Main Street office at 601-437-4500. Disney has sent out notification to all participating volunteer programs that they have reached their million person volunteer goal for this year. Main Street will verify to Disney volunteer hours following the festival for those who have preregistered.

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