Gov. Mark Warner will be here, and the African Showboyz.

There will be also be gospel music, bluegrass, ballet, jugglers and a host of children's activities at Saturday's groundbreaking for the new Art Museum of Western Virginia. The festivities will take place at the museum site on the parking lot behind Billy's Ritz restaurant, across the railroad tracks from Hotel Roanoke.

"This is just a way for the art museum to celebrate the beginning of the construction of the new building," the museum's executive director, Georganne Bingham, said. "We want the public to be able to participate. We hope it will be the first of many good times they have on that site."

Public opinion is divided on the $46 million building's ultra-modern design by Los Angeles architect Randall Stout, with supporters and detractors split roughly down the middle, according to a recent poll commissioned by The Roanoke Times.

Attendees aren't likely to hear much debate on Saturday, however, as elected officials and project backers gather on the one-acre site to give the construction phase of the project its ceremonial kickoff. The museum hopes to open the new building's doors in two years.

The party begins at 10 a.m. with the official groundbreaking (no word on where they'll find dirt in an asphalt parking lot) -- and, of course, speeches.

Entertainment starts at 11 with Ralph Stanley II, son of the bluegrass legend, and the Clinch Mountain Boys. The Showboyz, who will be at Jefferson Center tonight, take the stage at 1:45 Saturday afternoon. The quintet from Ghana blends "drums, dance, magic and adrenaline," according to their Web site; they've been known to eat fire, too.

The event will offer a host of activities for children, including a "moon bounce," slide, obstacle course, rock wall and face painting. A performance by Roanoke Ballet Theatre will conclude the program at 2:45 p.m.

Local restaurants will provide food and drink for purchase; the music and activities are free. For more information, call the museum at 342-5760.