COVINGTON, GA  —  Southern Heartland Arts, Inc. will present the 16th annual Southern Heartland Arts Festival at the historic Salem Campground in Covington on September 20 and 21, 2003.  Salem United Methodist Church offers a Sunday morning service 11:00 – 12:00 held under the Campground Tabernacle.  Everyone is         welcome.

Southern Heartland is a juried Fine Arts and Master Crafts Festival offering $500 award money to each Best of Show in two separate categories:  Fine Arts and Master Crafts.  Four Honorable Mentions will receive $150 each.  Exhibitors may select from indoor as well as outdoor set up sites.  Indoor sites are limited and available to first requests.

Festival participants will enjoy music presented each day be the Southeastern Bluegrass Association.  Delicious selections of    tantalizing foods will be available and children will delight in hand led pony rides on the beautiful park like grounds.

Come and experience the history and creative process of traditional southern artists and artisans with over 100 juried exhibitors.  Enjoy demonstrations by the blacksmith, basket maker, weaver, wood    turner, jeweler, pointer and potter.  Have a seat and let our storytellers entertain you while they spin a yarn.  Andy Offut Irwin, a humorous songwriter and storyteller, who also happens to be from Covington, will delight and entertain the children and adults alike.

Participate in the free drawing for gifts donated by our fine artists and craftsmen.  The drawing will be held from the Southern Heartland Arts Guild tent where winners will be posted throughout both  festival days.  You must be present to win.  Admission is free to the public with a $1 parking fee.  Hours will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to  5:00 p.m.  For more information contact Elise Hammond at 770-787-3322.  For applications visit Southern Heartland Arts Festival website at www.shaf.org.