The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Orange Jaycees will host a Labor Day Festival on Sept. 1, 2012 at the Orange Boat Ramp on Simmons Drive. The festival is a fundraiser and funds are designated to award high school students scholarship money towards furthering their education. The festivities include a kick-off pageant, barbecue cook-off and dessert contest, pooch parade, battle of the bands, talent show and vendor space.

Kicking off the festivities, Aug. 25, will be a natural pageant in ‘Sunday Best’, red, white and blue outfit of choice, and optional categories: best hair, best smile, most photogenic. Early registration for both boys and girls ages birth to 19 years of age open until Aug. 10, will be $35; a late fee of $10 will be added after the Aug. 10.

On Sept. 1, the festival will start off with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m.; following the ceremony will be a Pooch Parade at 9:00 AM. Proud pooch parents are encouraged to register their canine loves in their red, white and blue attire. The pups will be judged on personality, crowd favorite, and best dressed. The entry fee is $10 per pet before August 10 and $15 after.

Registration is currently being accepted for a Talent Show and Battle of the Bands.

The talent show will begin at 2:00 PM. The contest is open to anyone, any age that feel they have the best talent in any category.

The entry fee will be $35 before August 10.

After Aug. 10 a $10 late fee will be added.

First place will receive a Trophy and a $70 cash prize.

The Battle of the Bands will begin at 6 p.m.

This contest is open to bands of all genres.

Bands will be judged based on originality, musicianship, showmanship, and crowd response.

Bands will perform two songs.

There will be a 45 minute time limit given to set up, perform and take down.

Any time taken over 45 minutes will result in a lower score.

First place will receive a trophy and a $150 cash prize.

Throughout the day teams will be competing in a Barbecue Cook-off.

Teams will have the opportunity to compete in six categories: beef, poultry, pork, vegetable, starch and beans.

A tentative judging schedule will be sent out to contestants in the week prior to the cook-off.

Entry fees are $50 for the first category and $10 for each additional category before Aug. 10th.

$15 and $5 will be added after that date.

There will also be a blue ribbon dessert contest.

Entry fee is $10 per entry before August 10th and $15 after.

Contestants should bring their dessert entry, decorated table, and printed recipe.

Entries will be judged on taste, originality, and presentation of their space.

You may also bring extras of your dessert to sell to the public.

Spaces are still available for both food and non-food vendors. Non-food vendor spaces are $35 for non-electric and $50 for spaces with electricity. Food vendor spaces are $85 for non-electric and $100 with electricity. These prices are all valid until August 10th and $15 will be added after this date. Entry forms for all events are available by e-mail.

For all questions or to request more info regarding the festival and the Orange Jaycess, please contact Niki Monceaux at 409-221-0801 or [email protected].

The Orange Jaycees is a service organization based out of Orange, Texas and local chapter of the Jaycees, the United States Junior Chamber who’s beliefs are they can and should address the needs of others