43rd annual Heritage Festival: 43 Years of Poetry Celebrations

This February, we invite the community to the 43^rd annual Heritage Festival! Celebrate Black History Month with us all day by encouraging our community’s youth during the oration competition, enjoying a special performance by T.A.D. of Jazz, shopping African-inspired vendors, and touring the Anniston Museum of Natural History and Berman Museum! Festival Coordinator Georgia Calhoun declared this year’s theme as 43 Years of Poetry Celebrations. Food vendors will be on-site with delicious food options available for purchase. This community event is perfect for people of all ages!

Register your child to compete in the 43^rd annual Heritage Festival Oration Competition. Download the registration form and email it to swoolmaker@annistonal.gov or visit Anniston Museum of Natural History. This special event provides children from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 the opportunity to develop public speaking skills and strengthen their love for reading, writing, and poetry. Review the Oration Competition Application for details. Registration forms are due by end of day Saturday, February 11, 2023. All oration competition participants receive $10.00, a participation ribbon, and a one-year Family Membership to the Anniston Museums and Gardens. Monetary prizes and ribbons are awarded for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place of each category during the Awards Ceremony.

To become a 43^rd annual Heritage Festival sponsor, please contact Sarah Woolmaker at swoolmaker@annistonal.gov or call 256-237-6261. Thank you for your support!

Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible!

Alabama Power, Alabama Power Service Organization, Calhoun County Commissioner Fred Wilson, State Representative Dr. Barbara Boyd, Iota Mu Omega Chapter of AKA, Pandora Art and Social Club, F&S Body Shop and Wrecker Service, Th­omas A. Williams Elks Lodge, John and Dr. Valerie Richardson, Eddie and Veronica May, Attorney Cleo ­Thomas and Dr. Carla Th­omas, AFGE Local 1945 Anniston Army Depot, and Dorcas Art & Social Club, Willie and Betty Farrior Family Foundation

Oration Competition Application

2023 Winners

Groups

1^st Place: Sanders & Bush Class from Cobb Elementary School

•  Autumn Pullman
•  Reina Billingsley
•  Kashton Mansfield
•  Jermaine Carter

2^nd Place: Anniston Middle School

•  Brooklyn Gooden
•  Mallory Kirk

3^rd Place: R.L. Young Elementary School

• Paisley Embry
• Keidrayal Maddox

Pre-Kindergarten

1^st Place: Laforest Carmichael

2^nd Place: Nova Rai Harper

3^rd Place: Ava McCluney

Kindergarten – Grade 2

1^st Place: Ivy David

2^nd Place: Amelia Mack

3^rd Place: Montaego Teague

Grades 3 – 5

1^st Place: Makaela Hunt

2^nd Place: Tristen Colson

3^rd Place: Laila Miller

Grades 6-8

1^st Place: Amelia Jackson

2^nd Place: Modasti Carr

3^rd Place:  Kaydence Colson

3^rd Place: Markayla Smith

Grades 9 – 12

1^st Place: Sukunya Spaulding

2^nd Place: Kerrie Swain

3^rd Place: Emily Ward