It’s a mystery to Julianna Shurtleff as to why some people have never heard of the Augusta Canal Discovery Center.
“People don’t even know we’re here. Some have lived here for 10 years and still haven’t heard of us,” said Shurtleff, the center’s development and outreach manager.
She’s hoping Saturday’s Canal Discovery Day will bring awareness of the center and its mission.
Prior to the pandemic, there was an event called CanalFEST on the Augusta Canal. CanalFEST occurred in the fall, but this event is the first of its kind.
“It’s a little different,” she said.
She added that it’s the first time a community festival has been held at the center itself. The Discovery Center is located in the Enterprise Mill building at 1450 Greene St.
Canal Discovery Day will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature a variety of activities.
The Augusta Junior Players will perform songs from upcoming productions of “Dr. Doolittle” and “Matilda,” and Rae’s Creek Revival will bring its spin on bluegrass and Americana music.
Corey Rogers, the historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, Dayton Sherrouse of the Augusta Canal Authority and authors Bob Young and Stan Byrdy will be among the day’s speakers.
The International Game Fish Association will present a fishing clinic through the Passports to Fishing program. Children and their families will learn the basics of recreational fishing as well as the importance of conservation, according to the Augusta Canal website.
Animals from the Reed Creek Education Center will be part of the festivities as well.
Admission to the event is free, but some activities such as Petersburg Boat rides will be available for $5.
Shurtleff said the date corresponds to the kick-off of National Parks Service Week, and the Augusta Canal Heritage Center is a National Heritage Area.
April also marks the beginning of the spring music cruises.
The moonlight music cruises are popular on Fridays and some Saturdays from April through June and September and October, according to Shurtleff.
Each Friday beginning April 15, the 90-minute cruises take a Petersburg boat up the canal and back with a featured musical act. The Henry’s will kick the season off. Other artists include She N She, Keith Gregory and Chris Hardy.
The Friday concert cruises will begin at 6:30 p.m. in April and move to 7 p.m. in June.
Once a month on Saturdays, an additional cruise is planned.
These concerts tend to have a theme such as a jazz night with Karen Gordon and friends on June 18.
The music cruises are $27 with discounts for students, senior citizens and military. Call (706) 823-0440 ext. 4.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
