SYLVA - Upon arrival at the campus, event goers will be met in the parking lot by the sounds of a street pounder autosound competition and the sight of the free antique car show with emphasis on cars from the 60s. Beside the Balsam Center, kids can choose from several inflatable rides; and nearby, everyone can take to the sky with a free ride in a tethered hot air balloon.

A number of activities will take place inside the Center.

Wade Jones will display The Elvis Cup in the Center. Jones is a sales rep from Belmont who became famous for selling his “Elvis water” on eBay in December for $455. He gained national attention in December when he sold three tablespoons of water from the 28-year-old Styrofoam cup he says Elvis once sipped from during a 1977 concert in Charlotte. Jones got the cup at an Elvis’ concert when he persuaded a policeman guarding the stage to let him take the cup Elvis sipped from during his performance. Jones sealed the cup and kept it preserved until he sold the three tablespoons of it on eBay.

Craftspeople from the renowned Qualla Arts and Crafts will be on hand to demonstrate their skills and sale their work. Also from Cherokee, nationally recognized carver Dewey Owl will demonstrate his work while his wife Rita will show participants traditional beading techniques. Susan Leveille from Oaks Gallery in Dillsboro will work nearby on her loom and also help anyone who wants to try hand loom weaving. There will also be booths from a number of SCC clubs and curriculum programs.

Doreyl and Amy Ammons will bring their Appalachian tales to the lineup of entertainment and activities at Southwestern Community College’s 40th anniversary celebration Saturday, April 2, at SCC.

Meanwhile in the auditorium, storytellers will entertain beginning at 11 a.m. The lineup will include Appalachian tales from Doreyl and Amy Ammons accompanied by Josh Bulla on bagpipes, Celtic harp, fiddle and Irish whistle. Judy Rhodes, a member of the Muses, a three-member women’s a cappella ensemble, will join in with her own special blend of old-time singing with such favorites as “Fat Back Biscuits” and “Rooster, Oh, Rooster.” The niece of Martin Cook of The Inspirations, she also plays the spoons and washboard. Storyteller Jerry Wolfe will share Cherokee legends at 12:30 p.m.

Live music will fill the air when the Cherokee Elementary School Traditional Singers and Dancers take the stage at 1 p.m. The one- through sixth-graders will also perform the Bear and Beaver dances. The Tried Stone Choir of Asheville, award winning singers known for their high energy gospel music, will brings people to their feet during their 2 p.m. performance. Following them, Acquoni Baptist Chapel Choir of Cherokee will sing hymns in both English and Cherokee. A special treat will be Elvis Live! with Chris Monteith, Elvis impersonator, who will perform the King’s greatest hits at 4 p.m.

The day will also include a cake cutting at noon honoring SCC’s first graduating class and special alumni – free cake and punch for everyone – and a drawing for a student to attend one semester at SCC at 1964 prices - $30 (present in-state tuition is $480). In addition, Sonic will be on hand to sell hotdogs, chili pies and limeade.

Below is a schedule of events. For more information, call SCC at 828.586.4091.

Saturday, April 2

11 a.m. Outside Events
   Antique Car Show
   No entry fee; trophies to Best in Show and Best 60s model

   Street Pounder Autosound Competition

   Inflatable rides for the kids

   Hot-air balloon rides

Inside Events – Balsam Center
11 a.m. Heritage Alive! Storytelling with spontaneous visual art and music The Ammons Sisters, Doreyl and Amy accompanied by Josh Bulla on bagpipes, celtic harp, fiddle and Irish whistle

   Wade Jones with his Elvis cup on display

   Area crafters and SCC clubs to have booths, demonstrations

12 noon Cake cutting

12:30 p.m. Cherokee legends with storyteller Jerry Wolfe

1 p.m. Cherokee Elementary School Traditional Singers and Dancers

2 p.m. Tried Stone Choir of Asheville

3 p.m. Acquoni Baptist Chapel Choir of Cherokee

4 p.m. Drawing for 1964 tuition and awarding of antique car show trophies and street pounder autosound winners (Elvis will present the awards)

Elvis Live! With Chris Monteith, Elvis impersonator

See schedule of events for more details