By MAUREEN B. CHAVIS

Staff writer

James Brown, the legendary “Godfather of Soul,” is expected to be honored Saturday at New Ellenton’s 2001 Atomic City Festival and celebration. Brown will make an appearance at the festival from ll -1:30 a.m. to accept a key to the town of New Ellenton.

Live music will be provided by Calvin Spires. Other festivities w ill begin IO a.m. at New Ellenton’s park, just behind Town Hall. The opening ceremony will be presented by the Silver Bluff High School R.O.T.C. unit.

New Ellenton cheerleading groups will perform from 10:30 - l l a.m.

The Terry Anderson doggers w ill perform from 11:30 a.m. until noon.

The Twin Dragons karate demonstration w ill be held from noon until 12:30 p.m., and Mike Hess will perform a karate demonstration from 12:30 -1 p.m.

The Atomic Meltdown C hili Cook-Off winner will be announced at approximately I p.m.

The womanless “beauty" pageant w ill be held from 1:05 - 2 :15 p.m. to determine which man can best strut his stuff on stage for one minute as a woman. These men are sponsored by local businesses, churches and organizations.

By claps and cheers, the audience will determine the winner who will be crowned by last year’s "queen,” Tony Holtziser. The motorcycle show, directed by Bob Couvillon, will announce its winners between 2:30 - 3 p.m., and the Atomic City Cruisers Car and Truck Show winners will be announced between 3 - 4 p.m.

Concerts will begin at 4:30 p.m. with Terry and Jordan Bouknight until 5:30 p.m., Tony Howard from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., the 421 Band from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., and Wax Bean will continue the entertainment from 9:30 p.m. until midnight.

The Aiken County SWAT and Bloodhound teams will be on hand all day, and children can enjoy a day of carnival rides provided by Hartley’s Amusements and Games, a petting zoo and hot air balloon rides.

Arts and crafters will provide a variety of items for sale, including handmade floral arrangements, note cards, T-shirts, Christmas ornaments, fabric and sea shell crafts, dolls, ceramics, jewelry, hand-poured candles, hunting and fishing supplies and more.

For more information about the festival or entering the chili cook-off, call Betty Brown at 502-1341.

For more information regarding the car show, call Jackie Keenan at 652-3228, and for more information about the motorcycle show, call Couvillon at 652-3239.