It’s finally here! The Fairfield County Museum in Winnsboro opens the popular New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music Exhibit, the 2011-2012 Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street traveling show. A free sneak preview will be held at the museum on April 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. followed by the presentation of A Country Karaoke Talent Night at the Pine Tree Theatre (230 S. Congress St.).

The museum’s grand opening event on Sunday afternoon, April 29 will begin at 3 p.m. with renowned Appalachian storyteller and balladeer John Fowler, who will be next door on stage at the Christ Central Community Center. He will present a wonderful anthology of Appalachian stories along with songs collected from generations of Carolina old-timers, storytellers and balladeers. At 4:30 there will be a public meeting of the Fairfield County Historical Society. Free refreshments will be served outside the museum. The New Harmonies Exhibit will be open and will be followed by optional venue entertainment at the 145 Club. Community sponsor Elfi Hacker of the 145 Club in downtown Winnsboro welcomes well-known Tex-Mex folksinger Tish Hinojosa. Hinojosa brings her International–Americana blend of Mexican folk, country and pop to the 145 Club Stage. Hinojosa has recorded several albums and her work has charted twice on the Billboard country charts. Fairfield County’s own Bill Stidham and Lynne Douglass will be the opening act for this not-to-miss program. The show starts at 6 p.m. for a minimal charge.

The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main exhibit, sponsored by the U.S. Congress, partners with organizations and communities to exhibit cultural programs to rural populations. The South Carolina Humanities Council is the grant benefactor for this special tour that is being presented in 12 small-town museum/ library venues this season.

This exhibit explores many aspects of America’s roots through music that includes the blues, country-western, folk ballads and gospel. The main theme of the exhibition is the on-going cultural process that has made America the birth-place of more diverse music than any place on earth. New Harmonies provides a fascinating, inspiring and toe-tapping experience that unfolds the American story of multi-cultural exchanges as it pertains to our community heritage. Special events, exhibit times and schedules can be obtained at the Fairfield County Museum, the 145 Club, The Smithsonian Facebook page or by calling 803-815-9811.