46th annual Heritage Festival

Anniston Museums and Gardens, Festival Coordinator Mrs. Georgia Calhoun, and the Heritage Festival Committee invite you to celebrate Black History Month at the 46th annual Heritage Festival: Poetry, a Voice for Hope! Encourage our community’s youth during the Oration Competition, enjoy live music, shop local vendors, and tour the museums. Food trucks will be on site with delicious food options available for purchase.
Register your child to compete in the Oration Competition. Download the registration form and email it to swoolmaker@annistonal.gov or visit the Anniston Museum of Natural History. This special event provides children in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 the opportunity to develop public speaking skills, practice creative writing, and strengthen their love for reading, writing, and poetry. Review the Student Oration Form for details. Registration forms are due by the end of the day Saturday, February 14, 2026. 

All Oration Competition Participants receive:

• $10.00
• Participation Ribbon
• One-year Family Membership to the Anniston Museums and Gardens

Oration Rules and Reminders:

• The festival theme is: Poetry, a Voice for Hope
• Participants check-in no later than 9:00 am, February 21.
• Competition begins at 10:00 am.
• Orations should be works by Black authors or an original work. Creative writing is encouraged!
• Chat GPT (AI tools) is not permitted.
• Participants may compete as an individual or as a member of a group.
• Orations are limited to five (5) minutes.
• Each participant should begin their oration with: Name, School/Church/Organization Name, and Grade Level, followed by the poem title and author.
• No profanity.
• Props are not required. However, if used, participants are responsible for their own props.
• In order to qualify for the competition, orations must be recited from memory. All children recite on a stage in front of judges and community members.
• Orations are judged for organization, content, language, and audience appeal.
• All participants receive $10.00, a participation ribbon, and a FREE one-year AM&G family membership. Adult contact information required on membership form.
• Each category has 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners (monetary prizes and ribbons).
• Every participant must have an adult contact (phone number and email). This contact will receive emails leading up to the festival with additional information.
• Entries due by February 14 to Anniston Museum of Natural History or via email swoolmaker@annistonal.gov. Children registered after February 14 are not guaranteed participation.
• Questions? Call 256-237-6766 or email swoolmaker@annistonal.gov.

Monetary prizes and ribbons are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category during the Awards Ceremony. The school or co-op group with the most Oration Competition participants wins one free LIVE ANIMAL SHOW from the Anniston Museum of Natural History!