Blooming Prairie High School will be holding its annual Afternoon of the Arts at 2 p.m. Sunday. The BPHS Music Boosters Club sponsors this program.

Chairing this event for the third year are parents Roger and Shari Manges and Amy Trotman. The Manges' have four children in the Blooming Prairie schools. Three of their children are involved in band and their oldest daughter, Jeannie, has been in the school musicals.

"We became involved with the music boosters when we went to our first meeting. Sheryl Mans was the chair and she stepped down. Roger and I volunteered as chairs because we wanted to help keep the music department alive," Shari Manges said.

Lori Miller is the co-treasurer for the music boosters and she has three children that have been involved in band. Jane Phirhoda helps her keep the books for this organization. Miller likes to help out with the booster club as, "it is just being active in the community and it helps the school district. I have gotten to know more people being involved in this group."

The music boosters plan for the Afternoon of the Arts a year in advance to ensure that the gymnasium is not booked for other events. Posters are displayed all over Blooming Prairie announcing this event and the graphics art department designed the posters.

The Afternoon of the Arts will feature vocals, instrumentals and the first-place winner of sub-sections one act play competition, "The Bridge."

Students' sculptures, drawings and paintings will be on display. The cost is affair is $5 and refreshments will be served.

"We are having the school cooks prepare cheesecake for the guests. This is paid for by donations and we have a general fund. The money

raised goes for the junior and senior music and band awards," Miller said.

Miller and Manges said they have great respect for the instructors that teach art, music and help direct the plays. They have found out what hard work and dedication the teachers sacrifice to keep these programs alive.

Ross Reishus is in charge of the BPHS band and the directors of the one-act play are Peter and Allison Jacobson.

"The public has always been very supportive of this event and I hope we have a good turnout this Sunday," Miller said.