Press Release:

 History:           The festival began in 1976 and this is the 40th consecutive year.

Dates/Times:  September 19-20, 2015; Saturday 9 AM-6 PM and Sunday Noon-5 PM

Where:            Rose Lawn, the home of Methodist Evangelist Sam Jones, 224 Cherokee Avenue, in downtown Cartersville.

Admission:      FREE

About:            This juried arts & crafts festival features 150 booths of fine arts, heritage crafts, and delicious food from across the southeast. Guided tours of Rose Lawn, Jones’ Victorian home will be offered both days, $5 per person. Also included is a full schedule of performing arts and musical entertainment, plus the Master Gardeners Autumn Plant Sale and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Book Sale to benefit local scholarships. Juried artists awards totaling $1,000 in prizes will be given on Saturday at 1 PM.

New in 2015:  Sam Jones is credited with leading gambling riverboat Captain Tom Ryman to Christianity. Afterward Ryman used his wealth to build a stage for Jones to reach more lost souls in Nashville. The Union Gospel Tabernacle ultimately became the Ryman Auditorium. Actors from the romantic musical drama, The Ryman Diaries, which shares Ryman’s life story, will perform in character while greeting guests on the front porch.

Sunday will be a day of praise and worship, in keeping with Jones’ legacy, beginning with Pastor Eric Mosley and the All About Jesus Ministries Praise Team will open at 1 PM.

Special guest Caspar McCloud takes the stage at 2 PM.  McCloud serves as Senior Pastor of The Upper Room Ministries.  He is a multi-talented artist, author and virtuoso guitarist touted as “the next Jimi Hendrix” by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. Throughout his recording career McCloud has played with diverse artists including Phil Keaggy, the Newsboys, and members of Santana, G3 and Ringo Starr Band, and many others. McCloud has penned five books, including Amazon’s #1 The Shroud of Turin Speaks for Itself, co-authored with Simon Brown. McCloud will share selections from his recent remake of “In Adoration.”

Additional Sunday singers include Ahmad Hall, Carmen Jordan, and Rachel Brideau.

On Stage Sat.:            Saturday’s entertainment schedule includes Sara Laterza’s Championship, Cartersville Gymnastics, Steps of Faith, Cartersville City Ballet, Kerry’s School of Dance, Natalie Goodwin, Fusion Dance, Spirit of Dance, Scarlet Wool, and Choi Kwang Do Martial Art of Cartersville, and 3B & J Band.

5K Race:          The Bartow History Museum Historic 5K departs Rose Lawn at 8 AM and takes participants through Cartersville’s residential historic districts. Race day registration begins at 6:30 AM and fees are $30 each.  Save money and guarantee your souvenir T-shirt with advance registration at RunnersFit.com.

Awards:          During the 1 PM awards ceremony, the Hospitality Heroes Awards and fan-voted People’s Choice Awards for Best Restaurant, Best Shoppe, and Best Attraction, will be presented by festival sponsor Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Just for Kids:   Sweet Pea the Clown will be at Rose Lawn making giant bubbles and balloon animals.

Ducks:             Festival guests may also purchase Ducks for the Annual Duck Derby benefitting Advocates for Children. Other community booths present include: Bartow Adoptive Foster Parent Association, Hands Extended International, Stilesboro Improvement Club Quilt Raffle, and Toys for Tots.