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Last updated on Friday, April 27, 2018
(ORLEANS) - All eyes in Orleans are on the town’s signature white, pink and red Dogwood Trees this week in much anticipation that the sunshine and warmer weather will make the blooms pop for the 50th Annual Dogwood Festival now underway.
"The trees are really loaded with blooms right now and if the nice weather holds out for the weekend we should be nearly right on schedule," says Orleans Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Robert Henderson. "Every indication right now is that we are going to have a great "show" to help us mark this 50th Anniversary of the blooming of the dogwood."
The dogwood tree is the trademark of Orleans, as "Operation Dogwood," was launched in the mid 1960's with a goal of having hundreds of the trees planted along roads, in the historic town square and in yards. The annual Dogwood Festival celebrates the town's beautiful Dogwood blossoms each April.
Festivities continue this weekend with 2018 Orleans Dogwood Festival Queen Ashton Rose Padgett and her court reigning over events during the festival.
There will be a number of 50th Anniversary surprises sprinkled throughout the upcoming Golden Anniversary edition of the Orleans Dogwood Festival Parade Saturday, at 2 p.m. in downtown Orleans.
Last minute entries are still being accepted for the upcoming 50th annual Orleans Dogwood Festival Parade set for Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m.
Everyone's favorite parade will start from the Orleans High School. The school traditionally serves as the staging area for the event. Line up begins at 11 a.m. and continues up until 1 p.m. Judging of units begins at approximately 1 p.m.
The Parade travels down Maple Street (SR 37 S.) and through the historic downtown area making its way past the reviewing stand before turning at Orleans Christian Church to West Jackson Street.
Parking will be prohibited anywhere along the main parade route from early Saturday until after the event that afternoon.
Members of the Orleans High School Academic Team and the Lady Bulldogs 2017 Sectional Champs will be among those groups and individuals who will honored during the event.
Spectators at this year's Golden Anniversary edition of the Parade will also be treated to a visit from the Monkey Business monster truck.
The Parade will also celebrate 50 years of Dogwood history with a nod to the memory of some of the festival's founders and Operation Dogwood which was responsible for the original planting of the town's signature trees.
Entry forms may be obtained by visiting the dogwood festival website www.orleansdogwoodfestvial.com Entry forms are also will be available from The Orleans Progress Examiner and Orleans Town offices.
Spectators will be treated to a special appearance by the famed Circle City Sidewalk Stompers Clown Band of Indianapolis. The 12 piece, mobile band include a sousaphone, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 3 saxophones, a bass drummer and snare drummer. They are dressed in colorful costumes and ready to entertain parade goers using fast-moving choreography and energetic music.
The Clown Band serves as the official pep band for the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers and performs more than 300 shows annually. They have proudly entertained the crowds at the Indiana State Fair for more than 40 years.
Come early and catch a Pre-Parade Performance by the group on the Main Stage Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
Friday, April 27
Dogwood Headquarters-Chamber office
Vendors Arts & Crafts-Congress Square
Saturday, April 28
Dogwood Headquarters-Chamber office
Vendors Arts & Crafts-Congress Square
Sunday, April 29
For the very latest Dogwood 50th happenings visit www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com
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