PORTSMOUTH — Most locals can agree that the region has had its share of residents who made an impression on society, whether it be in the field of music, sports or literature.

Now, there is a festival honoring those who are local heroes in many people’s eyes.

The second annual “50 Miles of Heroes” celebration has been slated for June 23 through July 4, with a variety of activities at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on the Shawnee State University campus and at the Portsmouth riverfront.

There will be concert performances ranging from bluegrass and gospel to rock and jazz.

Hundreds of people who have called the region home within a 50-mile radius of Portsmouth will be honored for their contributions to society.

Football stars such as Glen Presnell and Coy Bacon and singers Bobby Bare and Johnny Paycheck are among those from Lawrence County to be recognized at the celebration. Other honorees are Sixth District U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, former Ohio Speaker of the House Vern Riffe, The Judds, Billy Ray Cyrus and Branch Rickey.

Jane Murray, one of the organizers said the idea for the festival came from research done by author Shirley Adams, who penned a book about the region’s most well-known or outstanding citizens.

“I don’t think any of us really realize what kind of talent we have that has come from this region,” Murray said. “We have such a variety of heroes. From those who have gone away, those who have gone away and come back and those who are not here anymore.”

She said the event can serve as icon for the Appalachian region.

“This showcases who we are and what we are able to be,” Murray said.

50 Miles of Heroes Celebration Schedule

4June 23

6 – 9 p.m. Bluegrass music.

Jeni Lyn Band and The Bluegrass Disciples

at

the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Opening act is John Simon. Free to

the

public.

4June 24 9 a.m. – noon — Bluegrass songwriters’ seminar — Howland Hall, Vern Riffe Center for the Arts; $30 for the session. 7:30 pm — Jazz concert. Vern Riffe Center for the Arts Gary Billups, Mike Harbour, Dave Holt, Nelson Fought and Jim Middlecamp. Opening act is Tom and Anne Stephens. Free to the public.

4June 25 7:30 p.m. — Music/theater Concert. Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, vocal and instrumental – under the direction of Stanley Workman; Free to the Public.

4June 27 6 – 8 p.m. — “Acting for the Camera” class — Howland Room, Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, Jim Hayes – professional actor/director, numerous films including “Songcatcher” with Aden Quinn and Janet McTere, more than 400

stage

productions. Free (donations accepted).

4June 28

6 – 8 p.m. — Blues music—

Vocal and guitar with Boyd Williams, in the

Howland Recital Hall, Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Free (donations

accepted).

4June 29

6 – 9 p.m. — Country music — Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, Rick

Ferrell

and The BloomLaters. Free to the public. Noon – 5 p.m. Auditions for “Heroes Idol Talent Contest” — Court Street

Landing, riverfront, Portsmouth. $20 audition fee, $500 to winner. $5 admission to riverfront for all day Thursday.

4June 30

8 p.m. — Blues concert — Boyd Williams & the All Star Band at the Vern

Riffe Center for the Arts. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors.

A

welcome reception will follow at the Ramada Inn.

6 – 11 p.m. —Southern Ohio Opry at Court Street Landing.. Admission is

$5.

11 p.m. – midnight — Flatwoods Band,

riverfront, Court Street Landing.

July 1

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Song writing seminars —Taught by John D. Rowsey and

Rick

Ferrell at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Seminars are $30 per

session

or $60 all day. Register at door after 8 a.m. Credit cards will not be

accepted. For more information call (740) 353-0505 or (740) 464-7940

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Fan Fair (meet the celebrities) at the Vern Riffe

Center

for the Arts Lobby. Free to the Public.

6 – 9 p.m. Gospel Music Extravaganza at the Vern Riffe Center for the

Arts.

Featuring Jim Hill, John Rowsey and the Good News Trio. Free to the

public.

9 a.m. — Fireman’s 5K run begins at Tracy Park.

Noon – 5 pm — Championship Wrestling, Court Street Landing. Admission

is $5.

6 p.m. — Moose Riders Poker Run, from Tracy Park to Court Street

Landing,

Ohio Riverfront Portsmouth.

6 pm – midnight — Battle of the Bands, Court Street Landing.

Registration is

$50 for bands, $500 to the winner.

July 2 Noon – 5 p.m. — Championship Wrestling, Court Street Landing. Admission is $5. 6 – 11 p.m. — Southern Ohio Opry, Court Street Landing, Ohio Riverfront Portsmouth. 11 pm – Midnight Flatwoods Band, Court Street Landing, Ohio Riverfront Thursday – July 3 Noon – 5 pm Mark Frazie Day, Court Street Landing, Ohio Riverfront Portsmouth. $5 all day admission. 6 – 9 pm Shane Keister and Melissa Marquais, Opening act Tom and Ann Stephens at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Free to the public. 10 pm – midnight — “Heroes Idol Talent Contest” finals, Court Street Landing. $500 to the winner. Fourth of July 10 a.m. — Fourth of July Community Parade, Spartan Stadium to Market Street. Community Picnic following parade 7 p.m. — Community Orchestra Concert, Tracy Park Portsmouth Ohio. Free to the Public. 10 p.m. — Concert and fireworks, Court Street Landing. Free to the public.

For a complete schedule or for ticket information, call the McKinley box office at (740) 351-3600.