The first-ever West End Fest, to benefit the West End Center on Pine Street in Hogansville will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The West End Center, which houses a daycare and other community services, has been housed in the former West End School at 301 Pine St. for about 20 years.
It formerly was associated with the “Save the Children” organization – Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton even came to town once – but that group finished up their work in 2008 and the center has struggled, a little, since then.
“They left at the same time the economy started going bad,” said Deborah Paulsen, a volunteer with the center.
The biggest needs are a new roof, updated playground and refurbished parking lot.
There are 10 children enrolled now in an after-school program and about 27 children at the daycare. Many of the center’s children come from low-income backgrounds.
The community programs take up two buildings on the property, it was two additional buildings that were proposed for a group home earlier this year. The group home proposal was voted down by Hogansville City Council.
The grounds of the former school will come to life for the festival Saturday, which organizers would like to make an annual event. There will be vendors, pony rides, a motorcycle and car show, live music and other events.
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