October 1st, 2012

The Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ will bound onto the stage and into the spotlight for the 48^th time beginning Friday, Oct. 5 and continuing through Oct. 6. The festival, one of the oldest and most successful folk, art and music events in the commonwealth, will be held on the Cumberland campus of Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College.

Hundreds of festival-goers are expected to gather at the Swappin’ Meetin’ which pays tribute to the traditions and the culture of those who reside or have deep roots in the Central Appalachian Mountains.

“There is something for everyone at the Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’, “ said Michael Corriston, the event’s long-time director. “The event continues to grow and has developed into one of the top festivals in both attendance and content.” He noted how the event has become a “jewel” with people from across the region, state and country coming to the area each fall to participate and enjoy the festival.

“Folks will be here for two days of fun, fellowship and enlightenment,” he said. “We are excited about hosting the festival as we welcome our old friends. We invite all to come see what we have to offer as we reconnect with our Appalachian heritage while enjoying the exquisite autumn in a most magnificent setting.”

As a premier folk and arts event, the Swappin’ Meetin’ continues to attract an impressive lineup of artisans who eagerly demonstrate their craftsmanship. For 2012, demonstrators will include basket weavers Frances Whitaker and Eleanor Smith; flute maker, Bruce Helton; chair caning, Stewart Whitaker; dulcimer making, Payton Manning; chain saw carving, Joe Salyers; scroll saw art by Donald Honeycutt; wood carvers, Robert and Oneatta Smith; spinning by Fern Cornett; lye soap making by Francis Amily; broom making by Larry Counts; sorghum molasses cooking by SKCTC faculty and staff, and Raku pottery creations and demonstrations done by SKCTC staff and students.   

Throughout the two-day event, a variety of music will be presented and will feature beginning Oct. 5, music by Lonnie Burkhart and Zelma Forbes, who will also serve as masters of ceremonies; Marlow Tackett, Roy Harper, Harlan County High School Choir, Brooklyhn Woods, Jim Mullins and Company, Derek Jeffers. On Saturday, Oct. 6 taking the main stage will be Jake and Ruby Ravizee and the Greater Mt. Sinai spiritual group. Additionally, singers Jason Collins, Raymond Smith, Seth Carmical, Tommy White, Anna Jo Creech, Peggy Green, Seth Murphy, Mary Lynn Franks and Tammy Chapman are scheduled to perform.  

During each festival, various individuals are honored for their contributions as artists, workers and supporters, all of whom have played key roles in helping the Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ reach its pinnacle of success.

Southeast  President Dr. W. Bruce Ayers, who began his association with the college as a student in 1964 and who, for the past 27 years, has been president, will be honored as the 2012 Swappin’ Meetin’ Honoree. Ayers, who will retire next June, has been a tireless supporter of the festival and over the years has held countless jobs as a worker, participant and supporter. During his time at the college, the event has enjoyed significant grow, where today the festival attracts several thousand people for the two-day event held along the banks of Cloverlick Creek in Cumberland.  

The Swappin’ Meetin’ Faculty Award for 2012 will be given to Professor Carlton W. Hughes, and the Savannah Delph Award will be awarded to Dianne Corriston, with the Staff Award going to Scotty Carruba. The Quilting Award will be presented to members of the Poor Fork Quilters. Their collective work will be showcased in the gallery of the Edsel Godbey Appalachian Center beginning Friday morning until 4 p.m. Saturday.

No Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ would be complete without contests. Over the years, various contests have given local folks the opportunity to showcase their skills and expertise in a wide-ranging spectrum of competitions. Set for this year will be the Pickles, Jams and Jellies Contest, Quilt Contest, Baked Goods Contest, Hog Calling Contest, Great Pumpkin Contest, Story Telling Contest, Checkers Contest, a Cake Walk and the Photography Contest sponsored by the Tri-City News.

“We invite all to come out and enjoy the 48^th Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’, “ said Corriston. “It proves to be a fun time, a wonderful time for all. We surely hope to see you there!”

For further details about the festival, contact Corriston at the SKCTC Cumberland campus by phoning 606/589-3137.

During the 48th Annual Swappin’ Meetin’ , one of the main events this year will be the gospel singing on Friday night, Oct. 5th.  It will be at 5:30pm in the Godbey Appalachian Center on the Cumberland campus.  The event will feature anionted Holy Ghost filled gospel singers from the Harlan County area such as Tammie Chapman from Harvest Worship Center, Seth Carmical from the Coldiron Church of God, Tommy C. White from The Hanson Christian Church, Peggy Green from Mt. Assembly Church of God, Jake & Ruby Ravizee from Rising Star Baptist Church, Jason & Crystal Collins and Jason & Aarin Collett from the Cawood Pentecostal Holiness Church, the Mt. Sinai Spirituals from Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, and two young up and coming gospel artists Anna Jo Creech from Cumberland Pentecostal Church, and Seth Adam Murphy from Loyall Baptist Church.  Come ready tow orship and give praise to God, as these anointed singers minister in testimony and song, to lift their voices and give glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

The first annual Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ 5K run and a one-mile walk will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 beginning at 8 a.m. on the Cumberland campus of Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College. The event will begin in the lower parking lot of the campus with participants following a course across the city of Cumberland before returning to the campus. The event is being held in conjunction with the 48^th Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’, one of the premier folk, arts and music festivals in Kentucky. 

The entry fee for the 5K or the one mile run is $15 in advance of the race date, or $20 on the day of the event.

The competition is being coordinated by college staff members Chris Hockenberry, Kristen Simpson and Susan Croushorn.   For additional information, contact Mr. Hockenberry at 589-3144 or via email:  chris.hockenberry@kctcs.edu

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