Michael Wright of Tarboro, a sixth-grader, will kick off the festival with the national anthem at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

He’ll return later with a selection of songs, including Elvis favorites and “Long Black Train” by Josh Turner.

Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to chill with jazz selections performed by a group of Tarboro High School students: Tremain Clark, band; Kristin Pittman, drums; Zachary Anderson, lead guitar; Darrin Suggs, keyboard/mentor; and D.J. Ward, bass guitar.

The group, “Perfect Harmony,” grew from members of the Gospel Choir at Tarboro High, led by Tony Suggs, director.

Several area young women who are making names for themselves in the music industry will also make an appearance. Sara Dew, 16, and Brandi Love, 16, Kaitlyn Flythe, 14, and the Rudd sisters, Amanda, 17, and Amber, 15, are sure to be crowd-pleasers.

Shirley McNeil and her Gospel Singers of Faith will close the formal part of the program just before the karaoke contest. McNeil’s group, started in a church, sings for church services, weddings, funerals, special programs and festivals.