Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, March 1, 2017
(ORLEANS) - The Orleans Chamber of Commerce has announced plans are being finalized for the upcoming 2017 Dogwood Festival.
This year will mark the 49th anniversary of the festival, set for April 26-29.
The Orleans Dogwood Festival has once again been named by Midwest Living magazine as one of its Top Ten Flowering Festivals in the Midwest. The town's trademark festival is also featured in the March/April 2017 issue of the AAA Midwest Traveler magazine.
Orleans Chamber Executive Director Robert Henderson says that this year's festival will celebrate small town life throughout the festival's run.
"Orleans: Helping Hands, Helping Others-A Community that serves" has been chosen as this year's general theme," Henderson says. " The winning theme suggestion was submitted by Kayla Rollins and Rachel Salazar."
As in year's past there will be a number of special "pre-festival" events held prior to the official opening day of April 26th. Those events include the popular town-wide yard sale, annual Dogwood Queen Crowning & Opening Ceremonies, Little Miss, a Horse Shoe Tourney and the Phi Beta Psi's "Styles & Salads" event.
Ashley Cowan is once again chairing this year's Dogwood Queen Contest. This year's queen will be crowned on the evening of April 22nd at Orleans Elementary School.
Dawn Freed along with Destiny Pingle are co-chairing the Little Miss Dogwood Pageant set for Sunday, April 23rd.
The popular Dogwood Pedal ride, which has been expanded this year and is set for the morning of April 22nd. More details are available via www.dogwoodpedal.com
Back after an absence of one year the ever popular Orleans Chamber's Silent Auction April 27-29 and Dogwood Baby Contest on April 22nd.
Another event returning this year is the Dogwood Talent Show, sponsored by WUME 95. Entries forms are now available on-line from the dogwood website, Orleans High School Principal's office and from the Orleans Town Offices.
The Orleans American Legion will once again provide the midway, Brady's Amusement, which will set up and operate the entire week as in the past.
New events this year include a Quilt Show, a children's musical to be presented during the annual Dogwood Vesper Service and "Scaly Tailz," an educational reptile and amphibian demonstration.
Other festival favorite highlights include the Photo Contest, Euchre tourney, Gospel Sing in the park, Pet Parade, and Kiwanis Breakfast.
The UMC Ham & Bean Supper, Dogwood Art Walk, Cub Scout Rain Gutter Regatta, and Kiwanis Bubblegum Contest will also all return to the festival lineup.
Leslie Padgett is serving as parade chairman and along with co-chairs Neil Blanton and Jeff Cunningham and remind everyone that the parade will step off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29th. The chamber is now accepting entries.
Vendor applications are also being accepted for arts and craft-type vendors to be set up in the park during festival week. Jenny Hopper is serving as chairperson for that festival activity.
More festival details, entry forms, event chairmen contacts are available on the festival's newly revamped website, www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com.
The Orleans Dogwood Festival Face Book page is also being updated regularly with new information for 2017.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.