This year's Showcase Orangeburg will feature 10 acts offering the Orangeburg community a sample of the depth and diversity of its talent. From singing and dancing to trumpet-playing and clogging, the community will be entertained at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at Stevenson Auditorium.

"It's really like an old-time variety show," said Beth Thomas, executive director of the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center. "All the people who are performing are good, are accomplished and they enjoy what they are doing. It will be, I think, a very entertaining show."

Bringing to the stage the music of Frank Sinatra, Janis Joplin, Garth Brooks, Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, Stevie Nicks, the Soggy Bottom Boys and others will be Haley Aull, Daryl Cate, Pamela Connor and Teresa Hibbits, Russ T. Fender, Hydrick Gass Jr., Eden Graves, Leah Jones, The Pinehill Ramblers, Chelsea Smith, and Dewall and Phyllis Waters.

Jacqueline Skubal will direct this year's Showcase. Emcees will be local radio personalities Fender and Aull. Mike Thomas will manage lights and sound, and Mitzie DeAloia will serve as house manager. Showcase is a fund-raiser for the Fine Arts Center.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For tickets, call the Fine Arts Center at 803-536-4074.

Since 1993, Showcase Orangeburg has been the premier event of the Orangeburg Festival of Roses, which will be held at Edisto Memorial Gardens Friday through Sunday, May 1-3. The festival features river races, sports tournaments, continuous entertainment on outdoor stages and thousands of blooming roses along the Edisto River.

The following is the 38th annual Orangeburg Festival of Roses schedule highlights. For more information, visit festivalofroses.com/events.htm.

Friday, May 1

Noon-6 p.m. -- Arts and crafts exhibit and sale, Edisto Memorial Gardens

2-4 p.m. -- Seniors' activities, Azalea Garden Stage

7 p.m. -- Softball tournament begins, Hillcrest, Hedgespeth and Adden Street ball fields

8-11 p.m. -- Street dance with The Riptide Band, Memorial Plaza (alternate rain site, Orangeburg County Fairgrounds)

Saturday, May 2

6 a.m.-3 p.m. -- Budweiser Basscatchers Tournament

7:30 a.m. -- 12K Road Race begins in front of Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center

8 a.m. -- Softball tournament continues, Hillcrest, Hedgespeth and Adden Street ball fields

9 a.m. -- 5K Road Race begins in front of Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center

9 a.m.-6 p.m. -- New Hawthorne Aviators airplane rides, Orangeburg Municipal Airport

10 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Arts and crafts exhibit and sale

10 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Children's area featuring rides and inflatables, petting zoo and pony rides, in front of Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center

10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. -- Live entertainment at Garden Stage, Centennial Park Stage and River Stage

Noon -- Diaper Derby Race, near handicapped parking area next to Lady Fountain entrance

Noon -- Orangeburg Queen of Roses and Princesses of Roses, Garden Stage

1 p.m. -- Diaper Derby Race, second competition, near handicapped parking area next to Lady Fountain entrance

1 p.m. -- Blackwater River Race begins at Baughman's Landing, Shillings Bridge Road

2 and 4 p.m. -- Rose Garden Tour, meet at Master Gardener's Tent

Sunday, May 3

11 a.m.-5 p.m. -- New Hawthorne Aviators airplane rides, Orangeburg Municipal Airport

Noon-6 p.m. -- Arts and crafts exhibit and sale

Noon-6 p.m. -- Children's area featuring rides and inflatables, petting zoo and pony rides, in front of Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center

1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. -- Live entertainment at Garden Stage, Centennial Park Stage and River Stage

2 p.m. -- Softball tournament continues, if needed, Hillcrest, Hedgespeth and Adden Street ball fields

2 and 4 p.m. -- Rose Garden Tour, meet at Master Gardener's Tent

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