Presented in partnership with By the People, the Hart County Chamber of Commerce, the Arts Center of Hartwell, Common Ground, High Cotton Music Hall and Hartwell Main Street, the Porch Songs and Public Voices Festival highlighted the community's historical ties to the Cherokee Indian tribe and its strong music atmosphere Saturday in downtown Hartwell. In front of standing room only crowds, events like the Native American Storytelling and Music at the Hartwell Art Center and Mojo on Max: Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones and the monthly Blues Jam at High Cotton Music Hall gave life to local stories. The all-day event, which also featured the Lake Hartwell Bluegrass Band and a History of Hart County with Rev. R. Allen Stewart, was the first in the community's lineup of celebratory events surrounding America's 250 anniversary.