Kayla Carson Crowned Dogwood Queen

Last updated on Monday, April 27, 2015

(ORLEANS) - Kayla Carson was crowned queen of the 47th Annual The Orleans Dogwood Festival.

Olivia Jenkins was first runner-up, and Victoria Whalin second runner-up. Other contestants were Gracie Hughes and Adrianna Goldsberry.

This year's theme is Orleans 200: "Honoring the Past-Anticipating the Future."

The Orleans Chamber of Commerce says there will be carnival rides, games, children's activities, arts and crafts, a hometown parade, food, live entertainment and hopefully the Historic Congress Square will be surrounded by dogwoods in full-bloom.

Admission is free.

The event is recognized as one of Midwest Living Magazine's "Top Five Flowering Festivals".

The dogwood tree is the trademark of Orleans, the Dogwood Capital of Indiana, as "Operation Dogwood," was launched in the mid-1960s with a goal of having hundreds of the trees planted along roadways, the historic town park square and in yards. The annual Dogwood Festival celebrates the town's beautiful Dogwood blossoms each spring.

Orleans turns 200 years old in 2015 (1815-2015). This milestone will be celebrated with special events throughout the year, so mark your calendars and plan to be a part of the year-long birthday Bicentennial Celebration.

The Orleans Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

Schedule of Events:

Monday, April 27

5 pm Carnival opens-Congress Square
*Brady Amusements sponsored by Orleans American Legion Post #69
*O.B.R. Band Parents Food Stand Opens Downtown
Tuesday, April 28
5-10 pm Carnival-Congress Square
6 pm-Phi Beta Psi Style Show & Salad Supper-Orleans Elementary
7 pm WUME 95 Talent Show-Main Stage
Weather Note: Some events subject to change or cancellation due to weather. The Main Stage entertainment may be moved to Orleans Elementary, SR 337 E in the event of bad weather.
*Both the Orleans Christian Church and Orleans United Methodist are designated emergency type shelter areas during festival week in the event of severe weather or other type of emergency.
First Aid-Orleans 1st Responders (South side square).
Dogwood Headquarters, festival, area visitor info etc. (Orleans Chamber, north side of square)

Wednesday, April 29 (Official Opening Day)

Dogwood Headquarters-Chamber Office
Vendors Arts & Crafts-Congress Square
4-7 pm Student Art Show-Orleans Library
4:30 pm OES/OHS Choir Performs-Main Stage
5 pm OHS Pep Band Concert-Main Stage
5-10 pm Carnival-Congress Square
6 pm *Gospel in the Park (Kirby Staley)-Main Stage
*Sponsored by Orleans Area Ministerial Association

Thursday, April 30

Dogwood Headquarters-Chamber Office
Vendors Arts & Crafts-Congress Square
10 am - 7 pm Student Art Show Orleans Library
11 am- 8 pm Silent Auction-OCC Unity Hall
11 am-8 pm Photo Contest Display-OCC Unity Hall
11 am- 8 pm Dogwood Art Walk-OCC Unity Hall lobby
5-10 pm Carnival-Congress Square
5 pm Registration/6 pm Start *Cub Scout Rain Gutter Regatta-Congress Square
6:30 pm Sign-In/ 7 p.m. Start -Euchre Tourney-Fire Department
8 pm 50 Caliber - Main Stage

Friday, May 1

Dogwood Headquarters-Chamber office
Vendors Arts & Crafts-Congress Square
10 am - 7 pm Student Art Show Orleans Library
11 am - 8 pm Silent Auction-OCC Unity Hall
11 am - 8 pm Photo Contest-OCC Unity Hall
11 am - 8 pm Dogwood Art Walk-OCC Unity Hall lobby
5 -7 pm UMC Ham & Bean Supper-Orleans Elementary
5-10 pm Carnival-Congress Square
7 pm Pet Monkey Band performs-Main Stage

Saturday, May 2

Dogwood Headquarters-Chamber office
Vendors Arts & Crafts-Congress Square
7-9 am Register Dogwood Pedal - Orleans Elementary
6:30-9 am Kiwanis Breakfast-Orleans Elementary
9 am-4 pm Silent Auction-OCC Unity Hall
9 am-4 pm Photo Contest Display-OCC Unity Hall
2 pm-5 pm Student Art Show - Orleans Library
10 am Dogwood Pet Parade-Bandstand area
11 am Kiwanis Bubblegum Contest-Bandstand
12 NOON-47th Annual Dogwood Parade
Theme: "Honoring the Past-Anticipating the Future "-Historic Maple Street (SR 37)
2 pm Sweet Water (band)-Main Stage
5 pm Carnival closes
Sunday, May 3 (Official Closing Out)
4 pm Community Vesper Service - Congress Square
In case of rain, Orleans United Methodist Church

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