Speir's Turnout Festival planned for Saturday, Oct. 26

For decades the Bartow Community Club has organized events, supported cultural activities and even donated funds to help keep the city’s taxes as low as possible.

This Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the club will sponsor the 28th Annual Speir’s Turnout Festival in the heart of Bartow’s downtown.

The parade kicks off at noon and this year’s grand marshal is George Price Jr, originally from Bartow, who has been honored for defusing 1,000 roadside bombs in Afghanistan. This year’s parade will feature classic and antique cars, trucks and farm equipment.

In addition to the usual food, arts and crafts vendors, organizers have added Bingo games and a free kids play area.

“We have 23 sponsors this year and they have made it possible to provide attractions for the kids to enjoy all day long,” said Mary Mancin, the Community Club President.

Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by The Jeff Grimes Band, Tawana Jackson, Stephanie’s Dance Explosion, Dave Fowler, Louisville Baptist Church’s Youth Choir and Gordon Grove Baptist’s Choir.

In addition to the annual festival, the Bartow Community Club also produces four plays a year through the Schoolhouse Players, supports the museum (which will be open during the festival) and monthly covered dish suppers with Bingo.

This is Mancin’s third term as club president.

“We have such a nice facility and I feel it’s our job to provide exposure to the theater and music,” she said. “The Jefferson Count Arts Guild is doing a great job, but as far as theater and musical performances go, I think we may be the only ones providing them and we’re not doing as much as I would like in way of music.”

In 2020 the club plans to produce five plays at the Bartow auditorium.

“It shows you, especially when it’s done by local people, what you can do,” Mancin said of the local performances. “It shows what people with little or no experience can be brave enough to get up and do and do well. It’s character building. It’s confidence building. It’s leadership building. And for the players, it is an opportunity to see that support and to be encouraged and appreciated by people who want the best for you and your community.”

The Schoolhouse Players features talent from not just across Jefferson and Glascock counties, but people drive in from Dublin, Augusta, Waynesboro, Swainsboro, Sandersville and Metter to take part in the shows.

“And it’s fun,” Mancin said. “On top of everything else we would not be there without the support of our sponsors, our angels we call them. No way do we sell enough tickets to produce even one play a year, let alone four or five. The community must believe in it, otherwise they wouldn’t be sinking their money into it.”

She encourages anyone with interest in the theater to volunteer their time as actors or directors or backstage help or building sets or designing costumes or putting up posters.

“We’re always looking for volunteers and there is work for everyone,” Mancin said. “There are plenty of opportunities available and I wish more people would take advantage of them.