The now-traditional "Reunion Cruise-In", sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority, and Legend-The Band will kick off in "oldies, but goodies" style the 43rd annual Festival of the Forks on Friday, September 18. Following the cruise-in, Legend will turn its back to Superior Street to animate a street dance on W. Center Street. With hula-hoops, the Limbo, the bunny hop and all the songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s, everyone is sure to have a great time. And a big reunion it will be with the class of 1974 holding its 35th anniversary, the classes of 1950 through 1980 joining together in one big reunion and the classes of 1978 through 1988 in another one.

This year's Festival theme "Sounds of Albion" will honor all of the great musicians from Albion and surrounding areas who continue to pursue music either as amateurs, semi-pros or professionals and are coming from around the country to participate. "Sounds of Albion" will also feature songs written here or about Albion and any connections between Albion and music.

Our hometown bands take to center stage to perform all day long on Saturday, September 19th. Some of the better known include Ace and the Jaguars, Who Dat? Blues Band, and Benny Poole. The centerpiece will be Paul Chatman and His All Stars. Chatman, who now lives in Dallas, has gathered a diverse "born and raised in Albion" group who have gone on to musical careers in other corners of the United States and abroad. The group features Chatman on his mellow sax; W.R. Sanders, now of Fort Wayne, unique guitarist; Derrick Womack, better known as Mazya, vibein drummer; Kenneth Tolbert keyboard virtuoso; and rockin' Greg Sanders on bass.

Once again, the Festival will celebrate Spanish Heritage month on stage next to the Albion Paint Spot where there is plenty of room to dance! Back by popular demand will be "Los Bandits" and "Fantasia Ballet Folklorico, and numerous other Hispanic bands.

And last, but certainly not least is the Jazz stage at the corner of W. Elm and S. Superior Street. Here the Paul Keller Trio will remind us of our great musical heritage in his annual Tribute to Eddie Russ and also of our heritage as the home of Michigan Methodism in his swinging renditions of some old hymns we've all enjoyed singing over the years. Andrew Bishop and Friends will bring us the composition commissioned for the 40th annual Festival entitled "Rugged Variants in Black", whose inspiration came from "The Old Rugged Cross" written in Albion.

Chalk artist Lee Jones is expected to return to show off her work and help others progress, while this years' featured artist, Kathy Kosins, not only sings in the style of June Christy and Julie London, but also does colorful abstract paintings based on the music she adores. Art at the Forks will be on S. Superior Street between Erie and Elm Streets. Gardner House Museum will be the scene of an outdoor cafe.

Of course, there will be the usual arts and crafts, activities for children, food, art and book sale at the Library - all crammed into one and 1/2 days this year.

As mentioned earlier, many people are expected for the various class reunions and this year's Distinguished Alumni awards which will be presented to: Charles E. Anderson '49; Harry J. Bonner, Sr. '65; Tillman Cornelius (deceased) '50; Roni K. Devlin, MD, '86; and Tiffany R. Wheeler, Ph.D., '86 during the Distinguished Alumni Dinner at Tennant Hall, First United Methodist Church on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, Kids 'N' Stuff will hold its annual auction from 2 - 4 p.m. There will be a big reunion picnic in Victory Park and certainly many improvised activities.