ORLEANS — The Orleans Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors gathered for their monthly “Breakfast Chat” on Thursday, May 14, pairing a recap of recent community successes with the unveiling of an ambitious, jam-packed calendar of summer events.
The meeting began with an exclusive, guided tour of the recent facility improvements at Orleans Elementary School, led firsthand by Orleans School Superintendent Jimmy Ellis. Following the tour, board members convened for a brief business session to map out the town’s upcoming festivities.
Chamber Executive Director Robert Henderson provided an official wrap-up of the 2026 Orleans Dogwood Festival, declaring it one of the most successful iterations of the festival held in recent years.
A major highlight of the festival’s success was the Chamber’s Silent Auction, which board members learned netted approximately $7,000. Henderson noted that these funds are already earmarked to support the Chamber’s various community enhancement projects and special events slated throughout the remainder of the year.
Summer Traditions Return to Congress Square
As spring transitions into summer, several beloved local traditions are preparing to kick off their 2026 seasons in historic Congress Square:
- Orleans Homegrown Farmers Market: The weekly market officially returns on Saturday, May 23. It will run every Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to Noon through late October, featuring local produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts.
- Food Truck Frenzy: Foodies can look forward to the return of this monthly gathering on the third Thursday of each month through the end of summer. The event is sponsored by Hometown Scoops in conjunction with the Chamber.
- 2nd Annual Orleans Antique Tractor Show: Following a highly successful debut last year, vintage agricultural machinery will take over the square once again on Saturday, July 11.
Memorial Day & New Summer Additions
Holiday weekend plans are locked in, alongside two brand-new events joining the local lineup this year.
A classic car show will anchor downtown Memorial Day activities on Monday, May 25, from Noon to 4:00 p.m. Vehicle registration begins at 10:00 a.m. with a $20 entry fee per vehicle.
Additionally, the Chamber announced the debut of the Art at the Water Tower Craft Show on May 30–31, followed closely by a community Garden Walk scheduled for Saturday, June 13.
Red, White, and Blue: America’s 250th & 4th of July
Looking further into the summer, Henderson detailed massive plans for the upcoming, nationwide America 250 celebration.
Orleans will kick off the patriotic celebrations early on the evening of June 18 with a special “Birthday Concert to America” on the square, featuring a live performance by the nationally acclaimed vocal trio, Ladies for Liberty.
The momentum will carry directly into the 4th of July weekend, which will feature:
- An old-fashioned ice cream social and live musical entertainment.
- A patriotic vehicle “Cruise-In” around the square.
- The annual fireworks spectacular launches on the evening of July 4 at the Orleans Airport.
To get the entire town into the holiday spirit, local business owners and residents are being highly encouraged to deck out their properties in red, white, and blue. The Chamber will up the ante by sponsoring a friendly, town-wide 4th of July Front Porch Decorating Contest.
Residents and business owners looking for more information on vendor spaces, contest registrations, or event schedules can contact the Orleans Chamber office at 812-865-9930. Updates are also posted regularly online at historicorleans.com and via the official Orleans Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
