-- — A feather in the city’s cap will return Wednesday, June 20.

The Cincinnati Symphony Regional Pops Orchestra, under conductor Robert Treviño’s baton, will lead off the three-evening  Batesville Music and Arts Festival at Liberty Park.

Its 39th outdoor show here starts at  8 p.m.

On Thursday, June 21, a new mural spearheaded by the Rural Alliance for the Arts will be unveiled at the northeast corner of the Walnut and George intersection. “That mural is beautiful. Over 150 citizens plus many students have helped paint it,” reports RAA board member Lori Feldbauer.

The work’s artistic directors are Mary K. Cambron, a part-time Batesville High School art teacher and RAA board member, and Amy McCabe, a full-time BHS art teacher.

Live music sponsored by the Batesville Memorial Public Library begins at 6:30 p.m. with a ceremony at 7:30. “It’s going to be a nice event,” she promises, with surrounding streets blocked off and food available.

The traditional Texaco Country Showdown presented by Batesville radio station WRBI and Jim True Ford, Brookville, wraps up the fest at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 22.

The local winner of this 31st round of America’s largest country music talent search advances to the  state competition. After five regional fall contests, about $200,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the National Final, including the $100,000 grand prize.

WRBI general manager Ronald Green says the Batesville contest  “has been a real good show every year. Our winners who have performed at the state level have done well. Several have won and gone to the regional.”

The competition is open to bands of up to seven members and singles. Each must submit a CD with two songs so judges can select the 10 top acts to perform. CDs plus $20 fees and entry forms, which can be picked up at the station or downloaded from the Web site www.wrbiradio.com, are due June 4.

The Kiwanis Club of Batesville will serve food Wednesday and Friday nights at the park pavilion, according to President Darrell Hoyer. On symphony night only, slices of pies will be offered by the Batesville Daughters of Isabella.

Entertainment will continue that weekend and the next with the RAA Community Theater musical production of “On Our Way.” It’s the 10th anniversary encore presentation of the show, which was written by Bill Blank and Scott Billingsley, Batesville, and composed by his brother, Alan Billingsley, Los Angeles, for the city’s 150th celebration.

Show times are Saturday, June 23, and Friday-Saturday, June 29-30, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 24, at 2 p.m. in the BHS auditorium. General admission tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for RAA members and $8 for students.  They can be purchased in advance by calling administrator Joan Kuhlman at 933-0355 or at the door if available.

Two other events held in conjunction with the evening programs round out the fest.

Entry forms for the 14th annual RAA Community Art Show are available at the Batesville Memorial Public Library, Schwestern Gallery of Arts and RomWeber Marketplace for artists at least 18.  This judged art show has three categories: fine arts, applied arts and photography.

Original art should be submitted Monday, June 4, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. at The Hansen Center, where the art will be displayed from June 4-14. Artists with questions may call chairperson Regina Siefert, 934-5213.

The winners, who will receive cash prizes, will be announced Thursday, June 14, during a 6:30-7:30 p.m. artist reception at The Hansen Center.

The art will then be on display at local businesses until July 2. 

The Batesville Music and Arts Festival 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by Southeastern Indiana YMCA, will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, at the park.

Participants are  asked  to donate canned items for the Batesville food pantry in exchange for door prize chances. 

The run/walk will offer awards to the top three male and female walkers and the overall male and female runners, with three place awards presented in each of 12 age categories.

Entry fees are $15 per person or $40 per household  if registered by June 5. Event day fees are $20 and $45, with registration starting at 4:30 p.m. T-shirts will be distributed while supplies last.

Refreshments and a ceremony take place  afterwards. Entry forms are available at the Y, online  at www.siymca.org or by calling wellness director Angela Hurley at 934-6006.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.