(ORLEANS) – The Orleans Chamber of Commerce is putting the finishing touches on the upcoming 2019 Dogwood Festival.
This year will mark the 51st anniversary of the celebration of the blooming dogwood, which is set for April 20 through April 27.
This year’s general theme is “Blooming our Community with a Renewal of History,” spotlighting the recent revitalization efforts of the historic downtown area.
Back by popular demand will be the Dogwood Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre “And Then There Was One,” Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28. Due to the growing demand for tickets, a third show has also been added for May 3. Cost of dinner and the show is $12 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are now on sale. The dinner show is in partnership with The Orange County Players.
The Dogwood Baby Contest is back this year and set for April 20 with Hannah Carter serving as chairperson. The longtime festival event will be held at the Orleans High School practice gym that Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m. Also returning is the Orleans Chamber’s Silent Auction scheduled for April 25-27 at Unity Hall.
Ashley Knight is once again chairing the now combined Dogwood Pageants with Eileen Gilbert as co-chair. This year the Little Miss and Queen Crowning will again take place on the same day April 20 at Orleans Elementary School. As has become a tradition the 2019 “Mr. Dogwood” will also be named during the intermission for the queen crowning ceremonies. The pageant will begin at 5 p.m.
The popular Dogwood Pedal Bike Ride is set for the morning of April 20th from the high school area. Online early registration is recommended. Check-in will be 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. More ride details are now available through the Dogwood Pedal link found on the dogwood website.
The Chamber’s Annual Town Wide Yard Sale is set for April 19-21. The Chamber will pay for advertising for anyone wishing to have a yard or garage sale on that weekend. Everyone is welcome to participate, and there is no fee to participate in the event. Please contact Neva at The Progress Examiner to be included in the advertising. Deadline to submit sale information is April 12.
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. Advance Sales of the 3-night Bracelet Tickets begin on April 13 and will continue through Noon April 20 while supplies last. The cost is $2. No bracelet tickets will be sold or available after the cutoff date.
The entertainment lineup for the main stage this year will include performances by The Pet Monkey Band, Honky Tonk Heroes, and Sweetwater. Special performances are also planned during the festival week by the OES/OHS Choirs and OHS Pep Band.
Other festival favorite highlights include the Phi Beta Psi Styles & Salads, Quilt Show, Photo Contest, Student Art Show, the Band Parents Food Stand, Gospel in the Park, Pet Parade, Arts & Crafts in the Park, and Kiwanis famous Creek Bank Potatoes.
The United Methodist Church Ham & Bean Supper, Dogwood Art Walk, and Mock Accident Demo are returning to the festival lineup.
Randy Clark is the 2019 Parade Chairman. Dr. Leah Morgan has been chosen as this year’s Grand Marshall and will lead the Parade through the streets of the Dogwood Capital on Saturday, April 27 beginning at 2 p.m. The Chamber is now accepting entries for the event, and everyone is being encouraged to participate in this year’s Dogwood Parade. Entry forms can be found inside The Orleans Progress-Examiner and online on the dogwood festival website.
Vendor applications are still being accepted for arts and craft type vendors to be set up in the park during the festival week.
More festival details, entry forms, event chairmen contacts are available on the festival’s newly revamped website, www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com.
The Orleans Dogwood Festival Facebook page is also being updated regularly with new information for 2019.
The festival planning committee will meet one more time on Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Orleans Town Hall. All event chairmen and anyone interested in helping with this year’s festival is urged to attend. Supporting organizations are also asked to have a representative present at this meeting.
