Ogeechee Tech Participates
in Celebration South

Members of the band, “School of Rock,” which is made up of local high school students, are pictured (above) performing to kick off Celebration South Music Festival in downtown Statesboro on April 17.  Ogeechee Technical College was the main stage sponsor for the event, a fact that was evident to the crowd of people attending because of the large banner displayed behind the acts on stage.  Ogeechee Tech Culinary Arts instructor Bryan Richard and Hotel / Restaurant / Tourism Management instructor John Witherington organized the Barbecue cook-off that was held at the event, and also competed.  The OTC team won first place in the pulled pork category, and second place in the People’s Choice category.  The Ogeechee Tech Sand rail, a project of the Automotive, Welding, HVAC, and Electrical programs at the College, was on display. 

(Left to right) Culinary Arts instructor, Bryan Richard, Database Administrator,
Tracy Morris, and HRT instructor, John Witherington work to prepare some
of their award winning pulled pork barbecue at Celebration South.

Numerous OTC employees and students participated in putting on the event which annually celebrates the culture of the South through music, food, crafts, a classic car show, children’s play area, and other activities.  Through interaction with numerous attendees, the Ogeechee Tech representatives were able to promote the College.  “Participating in events such as this is a way that we can support our community, showcase our programs, and generally reach out to our constituency,” stated Barry Turner, Executive Director for Public Relations at OTC, who is on the Celebration South planning committee.  An annual event which has non-stop music and activities from noon until 10pm, Celebration South continues to grow in popularity.  In addition to numerous local and regional acts, Nashville recording star, Eric Lee Beddingfield, was this year’s headliner and a celebrity BBQ cook-off judge.

Contact: Barry Turner
Executive Director for Public Relations
Phone: (912) 688-6958
Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu