Downtown Tuskegee Saturday, May 4, 2024
Theme: The Greatness of George Washington Carver
Downtown Tuskegee Saturday, May 4, 2024
Theme: The Greatness of George Washington Carver
Theme: The Greatness of George Washington Carver
Theme: The Greatness of George Washington Carver
The George Washington Carver Arts & Crafts Festival, celebrates the life and contributions of the famed scientist of Tuskegee (Institute) University.
The festival is in recognition of Dr. Carver's first love, art; this day-long festival encourages artistic expression by means of music, dance, paintings, sculpture, crafts, vendors and other family-oriented activities.
All welcome to participate; bands, ROTC groups, walking performances, cheer leaders, dance groups, floats, motorcycles, etc., all welcome.
Line-up 9:00 am starts at 10:00 am from Human Resources Building, and proceeds down Main St., then right on West Northside, to
end on North Elm & Fonville.
But please be sure and register.
Inviting area youth to help celebrate Dr. Carver's legacy as a scientist extraordinaire. Science fair is truly a community youth event and participation is open to any youth grades K - 12. Participation is usually enacted through the schools, but any youth can participate. Participants can receive trophies, plaques, scholarships, internships and other nifty prizes.
Register online or by hard copy.
Music throughout the day. Gospel in the
morning and afternoon concerts feature professional artist from a variety of music genres.
This years artist include:
The festival provides a wonderful opportunity for vendors from Macon County and surrounding area to showcase their talents, skills and products. Everything from fine arts & crafts, handmade gifts, one of a kind treasures to. . . and of course, food to suit a plethora a taste buds.
Jump Wright's safe, durable, and clean inflatable bounce houses, wet/dry slides, combo units, and games.
Biggest classic car show in the area with participation from other area auto clubs. Features vintage and newer vehicles, unique designs, exotic interiors, exotic exteriors with characteristics not usually seen on the road.
An integral part of the Festival include the presentation of Master & Miss Carver Festival. Contestants are drawn from area schools, grades 3-8. The reign of the Master and Miss Carver Festival extends over a two year period.
Paxton Williams, Dr. Carver Impressionist, will be on hand for a live question and answer while he reflects on the life and times of Dr. Carver.
The George Washington Carver Arts & Crafts Festival is perhaps one of the top events in the State of Alabama other activities include:
The 43 year old festival, a brain child of William Carver Lenard, had its beginning in 1981 at the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site. The festival was first held in front of The George Washington Carver Museum on the Campus Avenue of Tuskegee Institute now Tuskegee University. 2024 makes the18th year that the festival has been held in historic downtown Tuskegee, Alabama.
Participants may register online or hard copy:
You are welcome to register for (Parade, Vendor, Car Show, Master and Miss Festival).
To register using the "Printable hard copy" method, click on the item of interest above.
To register online, click on the button below.
As a botany and agriculture teacher to the children of ex-slaves, Dr. George Washington Carver wanted to improve the lot of “the man farthest down,” the poor, one-horse farmer at the mercy of the market and chained to land exhausted by cotton.
Dr. Carver’s practical and benevolent approach to science was based on a profound religious faith to which he attributed all his accomplishments. He always believed that faith and inquiry were not only compatible paths to knowledge, but that their interaction was essential if truth in all its manifold complexity was to be approximated.
List of products made from the sweet potato *
List of products made from the peanut *
Famous and familiar quotes of Dr. Carver
* Courtesy of Tuskegee University
It was said that he could play any instrument set before him.
Dr. Carver' training included an enrollment in Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, a small Methodist school that admitted all qualified applicants, regardless of race or ethnicity. While at Simpson, Carver studied grammar, arithmetic, etymology, voice, and piano.
His primary instruments included the mouth harp, accordion and piano. One year George Washington Carver even toured as a pianist to raise money for the then Tuskegee Institute. It is also reputed that he once performed a piano concert at Carnegie Hall.
Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You've all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, "I can."
Look them over, the wise and great
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world considers them brave and smart,
But you've all they had when they made their start.
You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You're well equipped for what fight you choose,
You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.
You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.
Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began,
Get hold of yourself and say: "I can."
Rev. William C. Lennard
Carver Festival Board Chairman
Robert L. “Bobby” Davis
Festival Steering Committee Chair
Dr. Elaine C. Harrington
Festival Secretary
Jacquelyn Carlisle
Ella Cowart
Jan Fountain
Annie Finney
Febreu Holston
Nathaniel Knight
Janet T. Sullen
David Banks
Dr. Elaine C. Harrington
Magdalene Patton
Leslie Trimble