Darlington’s annual fine arts celebration will kick off with the Fall for the Arts Festival on Friday, Oct. 7, from noon to 4 p.m. in the Middle School Courtyard. The public is welcome and admission is free.

“On Friday afternoon, the Middle School will be bursting with excitement thanks to the wide array of activities, galleries and performances for all ages,” said Kim Tunnell, fine arts director. “Artwork will be on display and live performances will showcase our students at their best. This festival is an opportunity for every student at Darlington to participate in the viewing, creating and performing of art. With food, entertainment and lots to do and see, it is a great way to enjoy a fall afternoon and experience the fine arts at Darlington.”

Entertainment will include performances by the Lower School Chorus, the Lower School Bells and Percussion, the Middle School Jazz Band, the Middle School Strings, the Middle School Band, the 5th and 6th Grade Chorus, the 7th and 8th Grade Chorus, the Ladies’ and Men’s Chorales, the Concert Choir, the Stadium Band, the Darlington Diamonds, and students in the musical theater and drama classes.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fun activities for children of all ages – including face painting, ceramics and tissue paper flowers – and to browse the Bake Sale and Silent Auction. Proceeds will benefit the Fine Arts Booster Club.

“The Bake Sale will include traditional baked goods as well as popcorn, water and soft drinks,” Tunnell said. “The Silent Auction will feature some very special items as well, including themed gift baskets, faculty and parent artwork, and other specialty items.”

But Darlington’s Fall for the Arts celebration, which corresponds with the school’s Alumni Weekend and Parents Weekend events, doesn’t end on Friday. Guests are invited to campus on Saturday to view alumni and student artwork in Thatcher Hall’s Ledbetter Commons (at the Middle School) between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. On Sunday at 2 p.m., attend a performance of the One-Act Play “The Actor’s Nightmare” in the Zelle Fine Arts Building.

Fall for the Arts T-shirts will be on sale Sept. 19-23 at all three divisions. Featuring artwork created by Annie Klopp (’12), shirts are $15 for short-sleeved and $20 for long-sleeved. Parents wishing to volunteer at the Fall for the Arts Festival should contact Kim Tunnell at Ktunnell@darlingtonschool.org.