&8220;To read the papers and to listen to the news… one would think the country is in terrible trouble. You do not get that impression when you travel the back roads and the small towns do care about their country and wish it well.&8221;

Charles Kuralt

If you want to get a sense of what is good about Shelby County and &8220;small -town&8221; America, take time to be a part of this year&8217;s Buck Creek Festival in Helena May9-10.

Just like many other communities, Helena perhaps outgrew its &8220;small town&8221; designation years ago, but you would never know it by the family focused atmosphere of the annual Buck Creek Festival.

Thousands of people from all over will be on hand to enjoy everything from acclaimed musical acts to an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. A $5 donation to the Helena Kiwanis Club allows

kids to play all day without the worry or need to ask mom and dad for extra money. And certainly, the highlight of the festival is the annual duck race where 2,000 or so little yellow ducks float over Buck Creek dam. Spectators can sponsor their own little duck for just a $5 donation or an entire flock for just $25.

It is really a sight to be seen.

Beyond the great family fun, some wonderful community work will also come from the festival as organizers make certain the event is more than just a good time.

Some $80,000 has been raised for local charities during the seven years of the festival and some estimates project they&8217;ll match that number this year.

Groups like the SafeHouse of Shelby County, the Helena Kiwanis Club and the American Cancer Society will benefit from this year&8217;s festival giving us each all the more reason to participate

Stage Schedule

Friday:

6 p.m.&045;10 p.m.

Live music, arts and craft vendors

Saturday:

7 a.m.&045;9:45 a.m. Pancake Breakfast

($5 benefits American Cancer Society)

10 a.m. Arts and Craft vendors, children&8217;s inflatable activity area ($5 armband for unlimited play benefits the Helena Kiwanis Club)

10 a.m.&045;10 p.m. Live Music

3 p.m. &045; Rubber Duck Race

($5 sponsorship for a duck benefits Safehouse of Shelby County.)

For more information, visit http://www.buckcreekfestival.com.