Included will be the Gainesville Symphony Brass Ensemble with Tympani; Fontanna Sunset, a bluegrass group; Latin music with Vecinos del Mundo; swing dancers April Layden and Contact Dance; cloggers Keith Brady and Clog-Fusion; gospel music with Adam McKnight and the Voices of Atlanta; and, R & B artist Heston Francis.
Also on the program: Southern Belles featuring Amanda Rowell and Chandra Owensby; Foyer Entertainment featuring Jennifer Daniels; the Canoe/Kayak Stomp with Dr. Arvin Scott and Ensemble; actors Topher Dagg, Kate Ross, Eryn McHugh, and Brian Lee; the "Kayaking Song," written by Sara Hickman and performed by Mary Davis, Eryn McHugh, and Brady Farnham; the House Band featuring Mark Smith, Mike Steele, Todd Burton, and Rick Fowler; and, the Aerialist, featuring Susan Murphy, Nicole Mermans and Canopy Ensemble.
Diana DeGarmo will sing the National Anthem.
The session will begin with the Procession of Nations and Presentation of Colors, followed by an official welcome from Organizing Committee Chairman Phillip Sartain; Gainesville Mayor Sissy Lawson; Hall County Commission Chairman Gary Gibbs; USA Canoe/Kayak President Anne Blanchard; and Ulrich Feldhoff, the president of the International Canoe Federation.
The opening ceremony will be held at the Georgia Mountains Center next Wednesday night at 6:00. Doors open at 5:00. It is open to the public. The price of admission is $25.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/9/173788