news-record.com

High Point has been celebrating its 150th birthday all year, but the big party is Saturday.

The city’s International Festival will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday with arts, crafts, music and other entertainment.

“High Point’s Sesquicentennial Commission wanted to throw a fun birthday party in honor of the city’s 150th birthday,” said Alice Smith Moore , city public information director.

The city’s birthday is Tuesday .

Leading into the celebration is “International Schools for an International City” at 10 a.m. at High Point Theatre.

“International Schools” is produced by High Point Central High theater students and performed by Penn-Griffin School for the Arts’ middle school guitar ensemble and orchestra, along with students from Florence, Parkview, Northwood and Southwest Elementary schools.

During the festival, local nonprofits, mostly serving children, will be on hand to discuss their services.

Children will be entertained by story tellers, arts and crafts and games.

For the adults, there’s a beer garden, music and food and craft vendors.

Musical acts will range from steel drums and jazz to swing and West African Funk and Latino music and bluegrass and country, Moore said.

“We planned a festival that will appeal to a wide variety of folks,” she said.

A stage will be set up at the transportation center.

Several modes of transportation will be on display, including stage coaches, Hatteras Yachts -- which were at one time built in High Point -- and Richard Petty’s show car.

Artwork from High Point students is on display at the Theatre Art Galleries, 220 E. Commerce Ave., and will remain up all year.
All events are free and open to the public.

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com