by Jennifer Biller

STAFF WRITER

BRIDGEPORT -- It may have been drizzling and cold outside Monday morning, but inside the Meadowbrook Mall school students were singing about surfing, sun and sand.

The Wilsonburg Elementary School choir treated listeners to a medley of oldies tunes from artists such as the Beach Boys, while performing as part of the Harrison County Schools Education Fair.

Parents, grandparents and shoppers came to the Sears Court to hear students from throughout the county sing and play instruments.

"My grandma came to see me and she said we did great," said fifth-grader Michael Cutlip.

"I like singing out here because it makes the audience happy."

Karen Richards, the choir director at Wilsonburg, was glad to see the support of so many parents in the crowd.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the kids to perform and for the community to see some of what the kids are learning at school," Richards said.

Sears employee Barbara Tucker listened all morning to the entertainment right outside the store.

"They were really good," she said.

"I think performing in public helps them continue to be interested in music so they can recognize their potential and maybe pursue it in the future."

More performances are scheduled daily throughout the week at the Sears Court in the mall.

The "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" program officially begins Thursday at 11 a.m. at the mall in conjunction with the schools' education fair.

For more information call 624-3300.

Staff writer Jennifer Biller can be reached at 626-1449 or jbiller@exponent-telegram.com.