Daffofil Festival Saturday features Embers
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on March 26, 2004 2:01 PM
FREMONT -- The Embers will return Saturday to headline the 18th annual Daffodil Festival in downtown Fremont.
The Embers will perform a two-hour concert from about 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Stage 2 near East Main and Sycamore streets. Several members of the group are from the Fremont area. The Embers have not played for several years at the festival.
"We're thrilled to have them back," said Brenda Paul, one of the festival's organizers.
A new group will kick off the morning program at 10:15 a.m. on Stage 1 at East Main and Goldsboro streets. The Goldsboro Ballet, made up of elementary and high school students, will put on part of its performance of "Cinderella," officials said. The group also will perform the entire show Saturday night at the Paramount Theater in Goldsboro.
Day One, a gospel group, will perform for the first time. The group will follow The Embers at about 3:45 p.m. and will conclude the day's entertainment.
Festival officials also announced a new activity for children -- a rock-climbing wall and pedestal joust.
The opening ceremonies will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Stage 1 with brief remarks from town officials and the introduction of Miss Daffodil Paige Stewart and Little Miss Daffodil Katie Knotts. All entertainment, except for The Embers, will be held on Stage 1.
After the ballet, the Charles B. Aycock Jazz Ensemble, directed by Roger Walker, will play at 11 a.m. The CBA Alumni Singers will follow at noon.
For the hungry, after 11 a.m., the Fremont Rotary Club will sell barbecued pork, the Fremont Fire Department will have barbecued chicken, the Masonic Lodge will serve spaghetti and Pathway Church will sell fish lunches.
About 15 food vendors also will sell drinks, funnel cakes and other items. Another 25 vendors will sell arts and crafts.
Day-long activities include a daffodil exhibit and art show at Fremont United Methodist Church at 106 N. Sycamore St., displays at the Fremont Heritage Museum at 112 E. Main St. and the Children's Alley on North Sycamore Street. Jingles the Clown also will keep everyone laughing.
Children's activities include pony rides, a petting zoo, trackless train rides, the First Airbourne Adventure, the Lazer Maze Castle Moonwalk, Tugger the Tiger and True Race Productions' remote-controlled car races.
In the event of rain, the entertainment will be moved to the auditorium of Fremont STARS School, and vendors will be set up in the gymnasium or under tents.