GOSPEL
SING:
The Bonifay Kiwanis Club has been hosting the Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing on the first Saturday in July for over 55 years at Memorial Field in Bonifay, Florida.
The Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing is a popular event that attracts spectators from all over the world. In addition to some of the finest gospel singing, spectators have a chance to have their photo taken with popular performers, purchases newly released soundtracks, and obtain autographs.
THIS YEAR! The Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing and Talent Search, will be held at the Holmes County High School Gym and Auditorium. In the past this has been a rain or shine event and during the last two years the weather has not been the best. So we have taken the weather out of the mix and moved the event in-doors with air-conditioning. There will be chairs provided at floor level as well as bleacher seating in the gym.. Doors to the event will open one hour before the sing begins. There will be no refunds. During scheduled intermissions, you will have a time to meet & greet the various groups, and purchase products from their tables. Concessions provided by theKiwanis Club, will be available throughout the sing.
The Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing is the first fundraiser of the year for the Bonifay Kiwanis Club. This year since we are in the High School, there will be no food or coolers allowed in the building. The club will have an extended menu to provide for your food needs during the sing. The proceeds from selling concessions are used by the Bonifay Kiwanis Club to help out with the countless donation requests that they receive each year. By attending the Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing, you have the opportunity to help provide scholarships and educational programs for the youth and children in our area..
The 56th Annual Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2008. The 2008 Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing performers will be announced in January 2008. RV reservations will be accepted beginning January 2008.
The Bonifay Kiwanis Club would like to thank the 2008 Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing Performers:
The Talley Trio: www.talleytrio.com
The Triumphant Quartet: www.Triumphant quartet.com
The Freemans: www.the-freemans.com
Jeff and Sheri Easters: www.jeffandsherieaster.com
Michael Combs: www.michaelcombs.com
Dixie Echoes: www.dixieechoes.com
&
The winners from the Talent search
Directions to Holmes County High School
- If you are traveling on Interstate 10, Holmes County High School is located north of I-10 . Go north on Highway 79 and turn left onto Highway 90. Go approximately 1 mile. School entrance will be on your left.
- If you are traveling South on Highway 79, Turn right on Highway 90 and go West approximately 1 mile school entrance will be on your left.
The History of the Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing
As the rodeo continued to grow, the Bonifay Kiwanis began looking at other areas that could benefit the community while helping the club raise funds for other club projects. The club decided to try a gospel sing and sent several members to meet with Loy McCormick, a well-known gospel producer. In 1952, the Bonifay Kiwanis hosted the first sing that was promoted as the “Old Camp Meeting Time”. It was decided that the sing would be an annual event from sundown to sunrise on the Saturday closest to the 4th of July. In 1953, Kiwanian Harvey Etheridge became the chairman of the sing, and Loy McCormick continued to be the producer for the next eight years. In 1961, the “Old Gospel Man,” J.G. Whitfield of Pensacola, Florida promoted the sing. In 1989, the club asked Kiwanian Ricky Callahan to co-chair the sing with Harvey Etheridge. By the 90s, gospel music was declining in popularity and the Board of Directors decided to change the time of the sing to start at 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. with fewer groups performing. Ricky Callahan continued to book talent for the sing until 2000 when the club asked promoter Bill Bailey of Dundee, Florida to be the producer. Bill Bailey continues to produce the sing today.
RV Camping Reservations:
For those staying in the RV area a shuttle will be available from the Camping area to the High School Entrance
RV Hookups $50.00 per night (Powers and Water)
Camping reservations will not be accepted until January 1st for the 2008 Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing and are on a “first come, first-serve basis”. Full payment is required to reserve camping spot.
For more information concerning camping reservation or to rent a RV hookup with a Visa or MasterCard call the Bonifay Kiwanis Club Office at 850-547-5363 or send us an email to kiwanis@bonifaykiwanis.org |
RV Camping Directions:
Once on Veterans Boulevard, Memorial Field is on the left. The RV camping area can be found on the other side of Memorial Field in the big open field. Our RV Camping runs east to west. The first section of RV rentals is numbered 1-18. The second section of RV rentals is numbered 19-36, with number 19 being directly in front of RV Lot #1. |
Ticket Information:
Adult:
$13.00 Advance
$15.00 Door
Children (3-11Years of Age):
$5 at Door Only
Credit Card Orders (Visa/MC/Discover):
Contact Bill Bailey at (941) 756-6942 |
Bonifay Advance Ticket Outlets:
- Bonifay City Hall
- Bonifay IGA
- Holmes County Chamber
- Piggly Wiggly
- The Bank of Bonifay
- Willie D’s Restaurant
Blitch’s Family Restaurant & Simbo’s Restaurant will have advance tickets available for sale until 12:00 noon of the Bonifay Kiwanis Club Gospel Sing. |
