Cool weekend temps bring thoughts of fall festivals

Early September temperatures in Orange County still reached 100 degrees last year, but this year, sweater weather is coming a bit early after a rainy front moves through. Look for clear skies and lows in the 60s for the weekend, according to the U.S. Weather Service in Lake Charles.

Not only will the feel of fall be here, but the longrange forecast calls for the cooler temps to continue through next week and the big kickoff to fall activities and festivals.

Bridge City is having the Hot Air Balloon Glo Festival on Saturday, September 14, at the school grounds of the elementary and intermediate schools. The forecast for that Saturday has a high of 85 with a low of 69.

The festival will feature teathered and lighted hot air balloons and will be held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. September 14. The festival will be set up on the grounds of the Bridge City Elementary and Intermediate schools off West Roundbunch Road and between Commonground Church and St. Paul Church.

Entrance to the festival is $10 per person with children under 6 free. Tethered hot air balloon rides will be available for $25.

The festival will feature music, performances, food vendors, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, and a kids area with an assortment of inflatable recreation items.

Performers include the Bridge City High School Strutters, the Orangefield High School Sophisticats,the Jamie Nichols Band, and

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce has open registrtion to enter the Golf Cart Glo Parade to be held as part of the Hot Air Balloon Glo Festival. Deadline for registering for the parade is Tuesday, September 10. entry forms are available at the Chamber office, 150 West Roundbunch Road, or at Saving Grace Christian Boutique or Kidz World Learning Center.

The golf cart parade is open to golf carts, ATVs, or four-wheelers that will be decorated with lights or glowing features. There is no charge for entering.

Entrants must be a minimum age of 16 with a valid driver's license. Passengers who are younger may ride if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parade will form at the Bridge City Intermediate School in order of arrival and then travel through the f1estival grounds.

More fall-oriented festivals will also be taking place across Orange County in the next couple of months as people cross their fingers for continued sweater weather for the season..

The Stark Cultural Venues across Orange feature a number of fall family activities, including the big Scarecrow Festival at Shangri La Botanical Gardens. This year the scarecrows will be on display from October 8 through 26, with the Saturday fall celebration on Saturday, October 26.

Individuals, businesses, churches, families, schools, and civic clubs may enter to display a scarecrow through the Shangri La website with registration opening this week.

The Stark Museum of Art will have a childrens art workshop to make glazed pumpkins as decorations on Saturday, September 14. The activity is for children ages 7 and older. Classes will be held that day from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration fee is $10 to cover the costs of materials with forms on the museum's website.

Family Day Open House will be at the 1893 Stark House on Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. The free event features a variety of activities to fit with the historic house.

Heritage House Museum is having its Eighth Annual Historic Ghost Walk, which has turned into a one-day festival, on Saturday, October 26. For the first time, advance tickets will be sold beginning this week. The advance tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 12. The tickets will be sold at the museum's back administration off at 905 West Division Avenue on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The city of Orange's Fourth Annual Orangetober Fest featuring thousands of colorful pumpkins and gourds will run October 4 through 6 at the Riverside Pavilion off Simmons Drive. Live entertainment, food trucks, arts and crafts, games, and other activities will be featured.

The Orange Train Depot will have Halloween at the Depot on Wednesday, October 30, and Thursday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. with students from the West Orange-Stark Drama Department presenting a haunted walk through the century-old depot.