HOMER - Downtown Homer is expected to bustle with activity Saturday, Sept. 5, as part of the 42nd Banks County Holiday Festival.
Organized by the Banks County Sheriff's Office, the event will feature a parade, vendor booths, food, entertainment and children's activities.
New this year is the "Jail Break" 5k street run. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. at Banks County Primary School on Georgia Highway 51 South, and the race begins at 7:30 a.m.
Run registration is $25, which includes a T-shirt. First-, second- and third-place finishers will be recognized in the following age groups: 8-13, 14-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 and older.
The 5k run will be followed by parade lineup at 8:30 a.m. at Banks County Elementary School on Highway 51 South.
Organizations and others interrested in participating in the parade should arrive at the school at 8:30 a.m. Saturday to be assigned their spot in the lineup. Participants are required to sign a liability waiver, which will be available on-site during registration.
Activities during the day will take place on the law in front of the historic courthouse.
The schedule for the day incudes:
* 6:30 a.m. - Registration for the "Jail Break" 5k steet run at Banks County Primary School;
* 7:30 a.m. - "Jail Break" 5k street run begins;
* 8:30 a.m. - Parade lineup begins at Banks County Elementary School;
* 10 a.m. - Parade begins from Banks County Elementary School and disbands at the Banks County Courthouse in downtown Homer;
* noon - Entertainment by the Banks County High School Band and North Georgia Twirlers;
* 12:30 - Performance by Commerce School of Dance;
* 1 p.m. - Performance by APA Super Star Cloggers;
* 1:30 p.m. - Performance by Nails Creek Praise Team;
* 2:15 p.m. - Entertainment by Colin Trace Chandler;
* 3 p.m. - Performance by The WRX Band;
* 5 p.m. - Entertainment by Mason Dodd;
* 5:30 p.m.- Performance by the Stephen Ashley Band;
* 7 p.m. - Music by Backwood Country Band featuring Mike Wood;
* 9 p.m. - Performance by the Joe Oldes Band.
Vendors confirmed so far include the Banks County Sheriff's Office accepting donations for and selling canned drinks and bottled water to benefit the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes; Phil Booth; CAP Enterprises; A & S Shave Ice Co.; Walk on Water; Your Event Moonwalk; Scott Erwin; Jeremy Wilbanks; Tropical Paradise; Jeff Vandergriff; James Gang Concessions; South Sister Couture LLC; Sprint Communications; and Banks County Democratic Party.
For the safety of participants, a section of Yonah-Homer Road inside Homer will be closed throughout the day Saturday.
Other temporary road closures may occur during the "Jail Break" 5k and will occur during the parade.
All proceeds from the event go to the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes Program.
For more informaton, call the Banks County Sheriff's Office at (706) 677-2248.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/9/333621/banks-county-holiday-festival-set-saturday