PICKENS — Organizers of this year’s Azalea Festival recently announced that the Fantastic Shakers will be the main act capping off the weekend event Saturday, April 17.

Previously, Chairman of the Board was slated to perform in the 7 p.m. slot, but had to cancel because of health concerns, according to Russ Gantt, who heads up the Azalea Festival Planning Committee.

The Fantastic Shakers will take the main stage at 7 p.m. after a fun-filled day of arts and crafts, rides, and other entertainment.

The festival will kick off Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m. with the annual cruise-in on Main Street where visitors can view old cars and trucks that have been restored and listen to the Extraordinaires.

Saturday morning, the festival will resume at 10 a.m. with the Clemson Sky Diving Team parachuting above the main stage to being the

opening ceremonies, weather permitting.

Thousands of festival goers are expected to fill the street to see the many area arts and crafts booths and enjoy foods prepared by local civic groups and non-profit agencies.

And don’t forget the Pickens County Meals on Wheels chili cook-off, which will also get underway at 10 a.m. on Lewis Street.

Festival visitors will be able to purchase helicopter rides next Saturday, taking off from Bruce Field football stadium, as well as see the city’s historical side via horse and carriage rides, both weather permitting.

Gantt said that one of the new attractions to this year’s festival will be the Richard Childress Racing’s legendary Black No. 3 Goodwrench Monte Carlo that was driven by the late Dale Earnhardt.

Earnhardt was seven-time Winston Cup Champion.

Along with the car, visitors will have the chance to drive the Richard Childress race car simulator from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m next Saturday.

Throughout the day, there will be various performing acts on all three stages, and there will amusement rides at Legacy Square, as well as children’s activities.

The 26th annual Azalea Festival is sponsored by the Azalea Festival Planning Committee, the City of Pickens and the Pickens Chamber of Commerce.