The 48th annual Kingdom Come Swappin Meetin is set for Oct. 5-6 on the Cumberland campus

The Kingdom Come Swappin Meetin will bound onto the stage and into the spotlight for the 48th 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 amp; 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 events 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 48th 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.