While the artwork itself is still months away from arrival, organizers with the planned Orphan Train mural project have another big project arriving on schedule as part of the 26th annual Dogwood Fine Arts Festival.

Planners with the history initiative are teaming up with the festival and the Beckwith Theatre Company to host a special presentation, titled Youth Voices: The Orphan Train Story. The event will close out the Dogwood festival at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the community theater, located at 100 New York Ave. downtown.

Admission to the family-friendly event is free.

The program is aimed at visitors of all ages, and will share the story of the famous train’s arrival in Dowagiac in 1854. Organizers have several presentations and activities lined up for the presentation, including a short play by members of the award-winning Cassopolis Middle School history team, period music by Beverly Smith, storytelling by Beckwith actor Mike Frazier and an interactive poetry workshop led by Southwestern Michigan College’s Scott Topping.

Children will also receive a copy of the Orphan Train coloring book, released in conjunction with mural project.

“It’s going to be a wonderful event,” said Ruth Andrews, the artist who is creating the mural. “We are firing on all the creative cylinders we have.”

Planners with the mural project — a venture involving Andrews, officials with the Dowagiac Area History Museum, city hall and other volunteers — have spent the last several months organizing Youth Voices. With Dogwood being the city’s main celebration of the humanities, the festival made a natural venue to present the show, said Bobbie Jo Hartline, former Dogwood Festival secretary and one of the organizers of the mural project.

Planners wanted to get the student actors involved with the presentation almost immediately, Andrews, who coaches the team, said. The Cassopolis children — who have won the Michigan History Days event for the past four years — first presented their show on the Orphan Train for the annual competition last year, Andrews said.

“They are excited about performing it again,” she said. “In most of our other plays, they have to play adults, while this one mainly focuses on children and their experiences with the Orphan Train.”

The event is one of many the committee has lined up to commemorate the creation of the Orphan Train artwork, which will be painted on the giant concrete wall beneath the Dowagiac post office downtown. Work on the piece is expected to begin in summer, and will conclude with a grand reveal during Dowagiac’s Under the Harvest Moon Festival in October.

“It will cause you to think not just about the riders of the Orphan Train, but what it’s like for children in the foster system now,” Andrews said about the Youth Voices event. “We might have come a long way since 1854, but it’s still tough for children separated from their parents.”

2017 DOGWOOD FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Funky Junk Art

All festival long

Patrick Hamilton and Kincheloe elementary school gardens

People are invited to check out the unique outdoor creations by local elementary school students, made from recycled materials.

Merchants Art Stroll

Thursday, May 11

4 to 7 p.m. for Art Stroll, 7 to 9 p.m. for reception

Various locations downtown

Free

People are invited to visit participating downtown merchants to view artwork from various area artists. A reception for the artists will be at the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival office following the Art Stroll.

Klassics for Kids

Friday, May 12

1 p.m.

Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center

Free with registration

The North American Brass Company quintet will perform a free concert for local children.

Musician Jean Prosper

Saturday, May 13

7:30 p.m.

Southwestern Michigan College Dale A. Lyons Building theater

Tickets: $20

Pianist and composer Jean Prosper will perform some original, classic and improvised songs, ranging from classical to gospel to jazz.

Storytelling master class

Tuesday, May 16

7 to 9 p.m.

Cass County COA Front Street Crossing

Registration: $10

Storyteller Sam Payne will host a master class on the trade; slots for the class are limited.

Storyteller Sam Payne

Wednesday, May 17

7:30 p.m.

Southwestern Michigan College Dale A. Lyons Building theater

Tickets: $6

Payne will tell stories and perform songs based on his life and the American story.

Youth Fine Arts Night

Thursday, May 18

Exhibits open at 6 p.m.

Dowagiac Union High School

Free

Students throughout the Dowagiac Union Schools will flex their artistic muscle. The school bands and choirs will perform, while art students will show off their work.

Author Renee Rosen

Friday, May 19

7:30 p.m.

Southwestern Michigan College Dale A. Lyons Building theater

Tickets: lecture $20, book signing/reception $15

Historic novelist Renee Rosen will talk about her latest work, “Windy City Blues,” and her career. A reception and book signing will take place immediately following her presentation; tickets to the event are limited.

Youth Voices

Saturday, May 20

2 p.m.

Beckwith Theatre

Free

Visitors of all ages will learn more about the history of the Orphan Train’s 1854 arrival in Dowagiac during this interactive presentation. The program will include a play, music and poetry workshop.