POMARIA — The second Old Pomaria School Reunion Festival will be held May 18.

An added feature this year will be the community parade beginning at 10:30 a.m. and a dedication in front of the building at the flag pole to reminisce 100 years of service to the greater Pomaria community. All activities and food service will commence concluding the event and last until 11 p.m. when the final band plays.

History has a way of repeating itself and that is the case with the old school. A few years ago, all that could be seen for the Old Pomaria School was doom and gloom, but by implementing a goal and mission, everything changed.

Transition is exactly where we are today as the newly formed non-profit 501(c)3 organization known as the Old Pomaria School Reunion Inc. expands its plans of transforming something old into something new.

“Last year we started with our first festival and were able to do a small amount of cosmetic work to the structure and lay the foundation for creating a gathering place of schoolmates and community members,” said member Billy Fanning. “As fate would have it, we didn’t realize a year earlier as we were rushing to get the auditorium looking a little better that actually our actions would prove to be for a worthwhile reason. Our actions of renewed hope for the school also gave the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church a renewed hope in finding a temporary refuge for meeting and worship after a devastating fire.”

Fanning says the group can’t thank the community enough for the overwhelming support they gave them for the first annual festival and they have even higher expectations for the second

“Not only will this be the second annual festival, but it will be of special importance because of the 100 year anniversary. In order for us to do justification for this major milestone, we are beginning the day with a parade, beginning at 10:30 a.m.,” said Fanning.

The parade will circle the town, beginning on Rest Street and ending at the flagpole in front of the building where there will be a special dedication and kickoff of festivities.

“This year is shaping up to be bigger than last year. We will have an assortment of food, vending, attractions, crafts, cars, tractors, music, games, and raffles, all beginning around noon,” said Fanning. “We are anticipating 25 vendors operating until around 7 p.m. and four bands or musicians continuing until 11 p.m. We invite everyone to come join fun and fellowship of this family oriented festival.”

Those interested in participating in the parade can contact Linda Fanning at lfanning@sled.sc.gov.