Blue Ridge Fest 'about the spirit of giving'

Editor

jevans@pickenssentinel.com

PICKENS - This year's Blue Ridge Fest will generate a lot of help for 13 lucky charities throughout the Upstate.

Blue Ridge Fest will take place May 9-10 at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative's

"This is a family event," said Alan Blackmon, manager of engineering. "It's about the spirit of giving."

The fest kicks off Friday, May 9 with the beach night and cruise-in.

"We're going to have some singing, some dancing," Blackmon said. "We're going to have about 600 cruise-in cars. It's just going to be a fantastic night."

Entertainment will be provided by Easley's own The Flashbacks.

"They do a great performance," Blackmon said.

Sammy O'Bannion and Mardi Gras will take the stage next.

"Their most recent hit was 'Let it be me,'" Blackmon said.

Little Anthony and the Imperials will headline Blue Ridge Fest.

"They have not been in South Carolina in a long time," Blackmon said. "We're blessed to have them this year."

Around 9 p.m., one lucky concert attendee will receive a 2008 Ford Mustang.

"Not the vinyl top," Blackmon said. "The ragtop."

The concert will go on rain or shine, he said.

"We're making some changes to make it a little better," Blackmon said, promising additional concert seating and closer parking.

The charity motorcycle ride will take place Saturday May 10 at the Blue Ridge

Registration is $25.

Registration begins at 8:30 p.m. followed by the blessing of the bikes at 9 a.m.

The first bike will leave at 9:15 a.m.

"You'll ride for about 80-90 miles through the foothills of the Upstate," Blackmon said.

Prizes will be awardedfor best hand, second best hand and low hand.

One lucky person will receive a 2008 Harley Davidson Motorcycle.

Raffle tickets for the car and motorcycle are $10 each.

The charities were selected from more than 80 employees by a committee of Blue Ridge employees.

This year's charities are: Collin's Home and Family Ministries, Foothills Alliance, Gleaning House Ministries, Meals on Wheels (Pickens), MARY'S House, Meyer Center for Special Children, Meals on Wheels (Anderson), Oconee Crisis Center, Oconee Presbyterian Service Fund, Rosa Clark Medical Clinic, Senior Solutions, Sabrina House Children's Charity and United Christian Ministries.

Sabrina House Children's Charity is especially dear to the hearts of Blue Ridge employees. The charity's founder is a Blue Ridge employee.

Officials hope to raise $130,000 to be distributed to the charities.

"$107,000 has already been contributed to by those sponsors," he said.

Since 1998, Blue Ridge Fest has raised $665,000 for over 35 plus charities, Blackmon said.

Tickets to Blue Ridge Fest are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Children's tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

Call 1-800-240-3400 for Beach Night tickets or raffle tickets.