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Last updated on Thursday, March 13, 2014
(ORLEANS) - The Orleans Chamber of Commerce has announced that plans are well underway for the 2014 Dogwood Festival.
This year will mark the 46th anniversary of the celebration of the blooming dogwood, which is set for April 30 through May 4.
"Come Home When Dogwoods Bloom," has been chosen as this year's general theme.
Chamber and festival representatives have been meeting monthly to formulate plans for this year's homecoming.
The new slightly reduced schedule was announced by Chamber officials earlier this year, reducing the festival's total run from the traditional nine days to four full days and encompassing one entire weekend.
Orleans Chamber Executive Director Robert Henderson only a very small core group are working to the put festival on each year. In addition through the years, a number of community partners, civic groups, clubs, organizations and other who once helped sponsored and/or assisted with various events have aged and their numbers of active members have dwindled significantly.
In addition the overall costs involved in staging a nine day-long event have continued to increase considerably he noted. Henderson says anyone wishing to volunteer with the festival can contact the chamber.
Despite the reduced schedule there will be a number of "pre-festival" type events held prior to the official opening day of April 30 including the popular town-wide yard sale, annual Dogwood Queen Crowning, Citizen of the Year announcement, baby contest, and the Phi Beta Psi Style Show and Salad Supper.
Henderson noted that a chairperson is still needed to head up the Little Miss Dogwood events.
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.
While the festival's schedule will look a little different with some events moving to different days to reflect the new schedule changes, festival goers will still find a number of favorites. Returning events include the silent auction, photo contest, euchre tourney, student art show, gospel sing, pet parade, arts & crafts in the park, Kiwanis Breakfast, and lip sync.
The UMC Ham & Bean Supper, Dogwood art walk, cub scout rain gutter regatta, and bubblegum contest will also all return to the festival lineup.
Randy Clark will once again serve as parade chairman and is now accepting entries for the event. Lew and Georgia Tetrick will serve as grand marshals leading off the Noon time parade down historic main street on Saturday, May 3rd.
More details, entry forms, event chairmen contacts are available on the festival's website, www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com. The Orleans Dogwood Face Book page is also being updated with new information for 2014.
The next festival planning meeting will be Tuesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Orleans Town Hall. All past 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.
Pre-Festival Events
Friday, April 25
Saturday, April 26
Sunday, April 27
Monday, April 28
Tuesday, April 29
Weather Note: Some events subject to change or cancellation due to weather. The Main Stage entertainment will 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 30 (Official Opening Day)
Thursday, May 1
Friday, May 2
Saturday, May 3
Sunday, May 4 (Official Closing Out)
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