“Back to School” was on everyone’s mind as Youth and Young adults lined up recently to sign up for book bags that are given out every year during the Fort Deposit Praise Fest hosted by Bethlehem Christian Church and Edgewood Tutorial Plus Center.

Bethlehem Christian Church and ETPC has hosted this event for 7 years and have partnered with several other churches in the community, county commissioners, a state agency, local businesses and organizations to make this event a success.

On-site support was given by the honorable Mayor Fletcher Fountain of Fort Deposit, Lowndes County District Judge Adrian Johnson and Lowndes County Board of Education member Tammie Duncan.

Several local pastors were in attendance and participated in the Bake-Off competition that consists of tasting various pies, cookies and cakes.

“The Fort Deposit Praise Fest has a dual mission and that is to 1, help offset the cost of book bags and school supplies for parents for the upcoming school year and 2, to help fulfill our outreach ministry in the community”, said Praise Fest Organizer, Linda Body.

This event brings people from all backgrounds and neighborhoods together for food, fellowship and fun.

Some of the fun activities for the children were face painting, games, arts and crafts, jump rope, hoola hoops, etc. Activities for the adults included visiting Health and Wellness booth, signing up for fruit and vegetable baskets, participating in a bake-off, listening to music provided by on sight musician and recording artist, Alonzo Caldwell and a SHOTOKON karate demonstration.

An event of this magnitude takes several committed people working together for a common cause. Over 100 volunteers helped pull this event off and approximately 700 people in attendance. In addition, volunteers passed out approximately 450 book bags and loose leaf paper to youth and young adults ages K-12.