TIFTON – Organizers are preparing for the 37th Arts in Black Festival early next month.

The festival is scheduled for May 3-4.

“We are excited to have three musical groups this year that will have the crowd up and dancing way into the night,” said Melissa Hughes, a Tift County commissioner and a festival organizer. “These groups play from hip hop, jazz to reggae. These artists are traveling from Douglasville, Eastman and places in between, to perform at our festival.

“Newcomers will walk away with music ringing in their ears of a song that struck a chord for them to get up and shake their groove thang. Musical performers are Dean Brown & The Dubshak Band, Music Solutions and MRD Band.”

The Arts in Black Festival offers “area residents of different cultural backgrounds the opportunity to experience African American culture and traditions through exciting performances, exhibits, workshops and foods,” according to information on the festival website. “Area youth are encouraged to participate in the festival sponsored parade along with the talent and poetry competition.”

Hughes said, “The opening of our festival will be our poetry competition. Newcomers will be impressed by the performances of the students in the poetry competition.”

The poetry competition is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., with four categories of competition.

Category I (Grades kindergarten through third): Cannot exceed two minutes.

Category II (Grades fourth through sixth): Cannot exceed three minutes.

Category III (Grades seventh through eighth): Cannot exceed five minutes.

Category IV (Grades 9-12 and collegiate students): Cannot exceed five minutes.

In addition to the poetry competition, there are several features for children.

“Newcomers are encouraged to bring their children out,” Hughes said. “A first-time artist, Cliff Patton, will amaze the children and have the adults laughing. They will be amazed by the magic man, ventriloquist and balloon twister all in one.

“A young musical artist Mardy Mar that stands on top of a ‘bear’ performing clean fun lyrics for the children will surely be a hit again this year. And who doesn’t like bubbles? Mardy Mar has a one-of-a-kind bubble machine that will have the young and young at heart saying, bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.”

The festival has a rich history.

The Arts in Black Festival “was first held in February 1986 on the campus of J.T. Reddick Middle School. The festival was the brainchild of Leroy Bynum, the assistant director of Abraham Baldwin College’s Arts Experiment Station,” according to the website information. “Mr. Bynum was successful in bringing together local citizens who partnered with the college informing the group later known as the Arts in Black committee.”

Hughes said none of the original artists are still performing with the festival but added that Music Solution has been a part of Arts in Black for the past 10 years.

Arts In Black Festival is scheduled 6-10 p.m. Friday, May 3, Savor the Flavor, 224 Main St., with “G-Man” Garfield Rhaney, and 1-10 p.m. Saturday, May 4, Fulwood Park, with arts, music, dance, live entertainment, pet petting area, kids area, arts & crafts, information area, food vendors. More information: Visit www.tiftonartsinblack.com or call Melissa Hughes, (229) 326-0241.