Annual festival expands this year
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

The Azalea Festival is expanding in all directions this year, with a few attractions that are out of this world, according to Liz Street, events coordinator for the Jasper Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

The festival officially begins at 9 a.m. with Lacy Johns singing the National Anthem, and the opening of the Rod Run classic car show, which has a $500 cash prize.

The Jasper courthouse square will be blanketed with craft and food booths, and the entertainment on the gazebo stage will be non-stop, according to Street.

For kids, there will be a rock climbing wall, petting zoo, train ride, moon walk and superslide.

The Easter Bunny will pose for pictures, as will the reigning Miss Fall Fest. For a $5 donation, little girls who have their pictures made with Jasper royalty will receive a crown and wand, and little boys will receive a sequin bow tie.

The chamber has booked country and western favorites like Sarabeth and The Texas Two. Newcomer C. J. Garcee is a local singer from Brookeland who just recorded a CD in Nashville. These musicians will be performing throughout the day.

Rachel and Laura Street will sing gospel at 11:45 a.m.

At noon, members of Red Hat societies from all over s o u t h e a s t Texas will take to the stage for Red Hats on Parade.

S t . Michael's children will dance the Matachin in the streets at 12:15 p.m. It's a traditional dance in native costumes.

In between acts, the chamber is holding an Idolstyle talent contest. They will be taking sign- ups and working talent into the schedule all day long. It costs $20 to vie for a $100 prize and the title of Azalea Idol, to be announced at the end of the day.

Winners of the cake decorating contest will be announced at 2 p.m. and the cakes auctioned off.

Winners of the drawing for a ride in a vintage 1959 Cessna 150 with KJAS's Mike Lout will be announced at 3 p.m.

Several art galleries will be open at least part of the day. The new Lakes Area Hospice gallery features local artists in a variety of styles and mediums. They are at 254 Ethel St. and will only be open until noon.

Milam Street Gallery is at 227 East Milam and will also have a booth on the square. The East Texas Regional Arts center at 364 N. Austin will be open all day. Wise Gallery, which features both paintings and quilts, is on Lamar directly across from the courthouse.

The East Texas Photography Club will display members' photos in the museum building at the corner of Lamar Street. Winners will receive ribbons by people's choice vote.

The Old Jail Museum is the current home of the Jasper County Historical Commission (JCHC). It houses archives and family records, photos and old high school year books, and more than 100 years of The Jasper Newsboy. Many records predate Texas' statehood.

The JCHC has received another shipment of Bitsy Hanna's book, "W.P.Cook, Contractor and Builder," and will have them for sale during the festival.

On Water Street, one block south of the courthouse square, the Beaty Orton historic Victorian house will be open for free tours.

The Jasper Library will is holding their book sale in the Fire Hall. The Fire Hall also houses an antique fire truck, and in front of the building is the new bronze statue honoring firefighters.

The biggest concern expressed by Jasper residents is that the cool weather may have delayed the azalea blooms this year. Street says the chamber will furnish maps of the Azalea trail, but people may want to take advantage of the Junior High School's bus tours of historic homes and the solar system display.

For more information or to sign up for the talent contest, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 384-2762.