ORLEANS – The Orleans Chamber of Commerce is finalizing its plans for the upcoming 2022 Dogwood Festival. This year will mark the 52nd anniversary of the celebration of the blooming dogwood, which is set for April 23 through April 30.
Chamber Executive Director Robert F. Henderson said this year’s general theme will revolve around the overall resiliency of the small town’s “Hometown Spirit.”
“It has been a very difficult time for all of us these last few years, but we are excited to be able to bring the festival back again and more than ready to come together as a community and celebrate.”
COVID-19 resulted in both the 2020 and 2021 editions of the town’s trademark festival having to be canceled.
The Orleans Dogwood Festival has once again been named by Midwest Living magazine as one of its Top Flowering Festivals in the Midwest.
Back by popular demand will be the Dogwood Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre “Murder at the Art Show,” for Parade weekend Friday, April 29th, Saturday, April 30th, and Sunday, May 1st. The dinner show is in partnership with The Orange County Players. Tickets for the show will be $12 and are now on sale at Orleans Town Hall. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
The Dogwood Baby Contest is back this year and set for the date of April 16. Also returning is the Orleans Chamber’s popular “Silent Auction” scheduled for April 28-30 at Orleans Christian Church’s Unity Hall.
A Pre-Festival Kick-Off event will include the return of the Orleans Cruise Blues & BBQ Car Show on the historic town square Saturday, April 16th.
Ashley McDonald is once again chairing the now combined Dogwood Pageants. Both the Little Miss and Queen Crowning will again take place on the same day Saturday, April 23rd at Orleans Elementary School. As has become tradition the 2022 “Mr. Dogwood” will also be named during the intermission for the queen crowning ceremonies. The pageant will begin at 5 p.m.
Entries for both the Little Miss and Dogwood Queen are now being accepted on the Dogwood website. The deadline for contestant entries is April 1st.
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 Bracelet Tickets will be announced soon by legion members.
Other festival favorite highlights include the annual Town-Wide Yard Sale, Phi Beta Psi Styles & Salads, Quilt Show, Photo Contest, Student Art Show, Band Parents Food Stand, and the children’s Pet Parade.
The popular Euchre Tourney returns to the festival lineup this year after an absence of several years on April 28th. The event will be held at the old Leipsic School building.
New this year will be a Dogwood Chili Cook-off / Supper on April 29th. The event will be staged at Unity Hall that evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. (if the weather permits, organizers plan to set up tables outside on the west parking lot). The community is invited and are encouraged to participate. Participants are asked to bring a large “sampling” of their chili to be shared with others, and judged for an overall prize of best chili. All “entries” need to be turned in and registered by 5:30 p.m. that evening. Please bring a recipe as well. There will be plenty of chili, sandwiches, and drinks for people to come and eat that evening, with all donations going towards the Orleans Christian Church’s “Operation Christmas Child” project.
Jennifer Blanton is serving as Parade Chairman this year. The chamber is now accepting entries for the event and everyone is being encouraged to participate in this year’s Dogwood Parade. Longtime Orleans Pastor Tom Bostic has been named as the 2022 Grand Marshall and will lead the parade through town on April 30th.
Vendor applications are still being accepted for arts and craft type vendors to be set up in the park during festival week.
Live entertainment is planned for the Main Stage during the festival week with Lick Creek Bank, and a Gospel Concert with The Breeding Sisters with Worth the Journey has already been announced.
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 2022.
The festival planning committee will meet again Tuesday, March 29th at 6:30 p.m. at Orleans Town Hall. All event chairmen and anyone interested in helping with this year’s festival are urged to attend. Supporting organizations are also asked to have a representative present at this meeting.
