2008 AHRF Children's Program

Children's Area | Athens Montessori Singers |
Dancing Flowers for Peace | Girls With Guitars | Llama Chuck | Rites of Passage

The Festival's children's area is once again at the back of College Square. Visiting children are comfortably shaded under a tent and can sit at a child-sized table to make crafts. They can draw with sidewalk chalk, or play in a sandbox. Face painting is provided again this year in the Tee Pee. All activities were free.

Whether you attend the festival on Saturday or Sunday, we hope you visit the children's area. It's a nice place to be; and, no matter what age you are, you can experience the sweetest path to world peace - right next to the children.

For 13 years Maggie Hunter and the Athens Montessori Singers have joined us downtown. Each year there are new songs and new faces, but what remains unchanged is their enthusiasm and the droves of proud parents that swarm to watch them each year. We are proud to have them again this year!

The Dancing Flowers for Peace are a group of women over 40 who are resilient, resourceful and radiant. Costumed as vivid, outrageous flowers, their goal is to transform negative actions or symbols into peace. Lori Teague co-directs the troupe with Noel Martz and Lesly Fredman.

Girls with Guitars is a conglomeration of young women under the tutelage of guitar instructor Vanda Guthrie. “Music is a universal language that speaks to the heart. I try to impart to my students the value of music for themselves as well as for others.” This year's performers include The MayBees, comprised of Marisa Mustard, Carrie Cartwright, Katie Downs, Charlotte Hawkins and Laney Mallet, as well as Gabriela Mejias, Emily Sullivan, Lauren Lieu, and the group Good Vibrations with Rachel Keane, Paige Keane, and Annie Jenkin.

Come feed, pet and learn about camels with Chuck's llamas, 1-2 pm at the children's area on Saturday.

Rites of Passage is a national organization started in the 80's, which came to Athens in 1994. Under the direction of Barbara Barnette, the group meets regularly to discuss and learn about conflict resolution, heritage, free enterprise and teen sexuality--particularly teen pregnancy prevention. It is a program designed for young African Americans living on the brink of responsible adulthood, encouraging the kind of self-respect and leadership that ultimately is recycled into the community. Based on the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”, Barnette adds, “This is just like a family. If someone's mom isn't here right now, then I am the mom”.

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Last Updated April 12, 2008.