Azalea Fest events draw record crowd

Record crowds enjoyed spring weather at the Azalea Festival March 17, according to Liz Street, special events coordinator for the Jasper/Lake Sam Rayburn Chamber of Commerce.

Local singer Lacy Johns began the festival with the national anthem. Because of a colder winter, azaleas were not quite at their peak, but the bluebonnets around the courthouse square more than made up for it.

Singers C.J. Garsee and Don and Sue of the Texas Two kept crowds around the gazebo entertained.

Kayle Dickerson won the cake decorating contest with an Easter bunny entry, "Here comes Peter Cottontail." She won a $25 Wal-Mart card, and her cake brought $32 at auction.

Mary Ellen Eddy of the Beaty-Orton House reported more people toured the Victorian home than in any one-day event in years.

Librarian Denise Milton said the book sale brought in double the dollars of previous years. The money goes in the fund to build a new library near Jasper High School.

The Bluebonnet Garden Club sold the last of the maroon Aggie Bluebonnet seedlings shortly after noon.

Teacher Dianne Pace supervised bus tours of the mile-long solar system and historical tours, a joint project of the English, history, science and art departments at Jasper Junior High. The solar system suffered a few minor malfunctions when the rings of Saturn blew away in high winds, and Pluto appropriately kept falling off its pedestal.

Pace was pleasantly surprised when appreciative passengers insisted on donating funds toward the next school project. She's already thinking along the lines of old cemeteries and haunted houses for Fall Fest in October.

Red Hat societies from as far as Houston joined the Jazzy Jewels of Jasper for a High Tea held in the community room of First National Bank. Marcia Byerly, a.k.a Queen Katrina, Mother of All Storms, took credit for the fine weather.

Bennie Hollinsworth of Jasper won the drawing for a plane ride with Mike Lout of KJAS.

In the classic car Rod Run, Street reported these plaque winners:

1949 & earlier: Wayne Barker of Hemphill, 1932 Chevy coupe; Onnie Weaver of Wiergate, 1937 Dodge sedan; Alvin Prewitt of Jasper, 1939 Chevy coupe

1950-59 Daryl Smith of DeRidder, LA, 1959 Chevy Impala convertible; Lindell Smith of Kirbyville, 1957 Chevy Belaire; Jim and Bev Smith of Jasper, 1954 Chevy pick-up

1960-69 Mary Murray of Orange, 1965 Mustang convertible; Ronnie Banks of DeRidder, LA, 1969 Chevelle; John Dobson of DeRidder, LA, Mustang convertible

1970 & newer Bruce Brodnax of Jasper, 1978 Corvette

In a drawing for cash prizes amongst Rod Runner entrants, Mary Murray won $250, Gary Williams won $150, Wayne Barker won $75, and John Dobson won $25.