NEWPORT-Commitments from musicians, magicians, and religious groups point to another successful Cocke County Unity Festival in January, according to Shedenna Dockery, who chairs the event.

This year's celebration will be Saturday, January 16, 2010, at Cocke County High School, which hosted the first event in 2002.

That celebration was quickly organized as a way for local citizens to gather and celebrate the diversity in Cocke County. It was held the same day of a KKK gathering at Cocke County Courthouse.

"We had thousands, while they had a 100 or so people," said Dockery recently. "Our community came together so well in a unified effort to celebrate our community."

Displays, ethnic foods, music, dancing, and speeches highlighted that event which drew people from numerous states and several television stations.

"We called it the Diversity Festival," said Dockery, "and continued with that name for several years."

"But we have grown in our scope and commitment to bring together as many diverse groups as we can."

The festival's date is always the Saturday before Martin Luther King's birthday.

"Cocke County loves festivals," Dockery reiterated yesterday, "and this is the first one of the year. It's our Martin Luther King celebration and more."

Already committed for this year's celebration are Penny Grooms and Crystal Lee, who will sing country music, Steve Brown, a Bluegrass musician, and folk musician Vickie Jones.

"We also have lined up Wayne Bromsky, otherwise known as 'The Great Linguini,' Emerson Bagay, a Navaho flutist, and Center Stage Performing Arts Studio.

"As always, Dayton Livingston will be with us, bringing gospel music and praise," she added.

"Everyone should be onboard with us," said Dockery, "because East Tennessee is watching. This is a time for us to show the rest of the world what great and diverse people we have here."

One of Dockery's wishes this year is to have every religious denomination represented. "Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, Church of God, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventist-whatever your religion is-we welcome you to have a display at the festival," she said.

"We also encourage all of our schools to become involved and have displays showing their work."

In order to reserve space at the festival or for other information, call 423-237-1078.