(ORLEANS) – The Orleans Chamber of Commerce has announced plans are well underway for 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.
The Orleans Dogwood Festival has once again been named by Midwest Living magazine as one of its Top Ten Flowering Festivals in the Midwest.
Back by popular demand will be the Dogwood Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre with its show “And Then There Was One,” for Parade weekend Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28. The dinner show is in partnership with The Orange County Players.
The Dogwood Baby Contest is back this year and set for April 20th. Also returning is the Orleans Chamber’s Silent Auction scheduled for April 25-27 at Unity Hall.
Ashley Cowan is once again chairing the now combined Dogwood Pageants with Eileen Gilbert as her Co-Chair. This year as in 2018 both the Little Miss and Queen Crowning will again take place on the same day April 20th 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 Ride will be returning to this year’s festival line up as well. The ride is set for the morning of April 20th from the high school area. Ride details are now available Dogwood Pedal link found on the dogwood website.
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 by legion members.
Other festival favorite highlights include the Phi Beta Psi Styles & Salads, Photo Contest, student art show, Gospel Sing in the Park, Pet Parade, Arts & Crafts in the park, and Kiwanis famous Creek Bank Potatoes.
The UMC Ham & Bean Supper, Dogwood Art Walk, Cub Scout Rain Gutter Regatta will also all return to the festival lineup.
Randy Clark is serving as parade chairman. The chamber is now accepting entries for the event and everyone is being encouraged to participate in this year’s Dogwood Parade.
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 on Tuesday, February 26th at 6:30 p.m. at Orleans Town Hall to continue plans on this year’s festivities. 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.
