The sweet sounds of country music stars Joe Diffie and Scotty Emerick and oldies from The Drifters will fill the air at this year's festival celebrating the end of the sugarcane harvest.

America's sweetest town is hosting a full day of fun and entertainment for the entire family at the 18th annual Sugar Festival to be held Saturday, April 17 in Clewiston. Continuous entertainment, food booths, arts and crafts, and old-fashioned cane grinding are all part of the celebration that marks the end of the annual sugar cane harvest in the farming region south of Lake Okeechobee.

Headlining the event will be Nashville recording star Joe Diffie, performing his current hit single Tougher than Nails and many of his other top ten hits, including five number One Hits, like In Another World, John Deere Green, and Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die). Joe's performance will begin at 5 p.m.

Live main stage entertainment begins at 11:15 a.m. with Raw Whiskey, a talented Clewiston band which will perform rock and roll hits from the 60s and 70s, followed at 12:15 p.m. by Flip Side, another local band with strong vocalists and musicians.

The Drifters take the stage at 1:45 p.m. and will roll out their unbeatable lineup of golden hits from the 50s and 60s-Under the Boardwalk, Dance with Me, This Magic Moment, Save the Last Dance for Me and many more.

At 3:15 p.m., we go country and in a big way. Scotty Emerick, a hot and upcoming Nashville talent and native of Vero Beach will perform tunes from his smash new album Coast to Coast. Sure to be included in his performance will be The Coast is Clear and Where's My Beer from the album. Scotty tours with Toby Keith and has co-written many of Toby's big hits.

Besides the great music festival attractions include an arts and crafts show, a car show, exhibits of old and new farming equipment, and booths featuring local and regional food which will serve all day. There will also be a 5K run, a horseshoe tournament and an art show and quilt exhibition. A Fun Park featuring a rock-climbing wall, a giant slide and carousel and the ever popular Lions Club pony rides will keep the children entertained. One of the most popular events will be the Sweet Taste of Sugar Country Dessert Contest held in the historic Clewiston Inn.

Once the music ends, the Sugar Festival Rodeo will begin at 7 p.m. at the Hendry County Rodeo Grounds in Clewiston. It will be a Ranch Rodeo with lots of fun for all ages.

For more information call the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce at (863) 983-7979.