By By Penny Randall / staff writer
Sept. 21, 2003
Clarke County is preparing for its 14th Annual Forestry and Wildlife Festival on Oct. 4.
Archusa Water Park in Quitman will be the site for the event, which showcases the area's natural scenic beauty.
This festival has been held on the first Saturday in October since its inception in 1990. Attendance for the festival in 2002 was more than 2,500.
Patty Combest with the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce said an even larger crowd is expected this year.
The festival is sponsored by the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce in an effort to promote forests for economic development and to spotlight outdoor recreational facilities and abundant wildlife.
This year's festival will be a celebration of life in Clarke County. Activities are planned for every age group.
A giant children's area will feature Nickelodeon-type games, pony rides, the Hay Bale Express, the Hamasa clowns, face painting, popcorn and cotton candy. Adults can enjoy everything from heavy equipment exhibits to live entertainment.
The county's first annual Fall Festival Pageant will be held in conjunction with festival activities. All area children are invited to participate.
There will be six divisions in the pageant: Babies, 1-12 months; Tiny Miss, 1-3 years; Petite Miss, 4-6 years; Little Miss, 7-10 years; Pre-Teens, 11-14 years; and Teens, 15-18 years. Awards will be presented in each division with an Overall Award and Photogenic Awards.
Registration is now being accepted for booth spaces at the event. Spaces are available for nonprofit booths, arts &crafts, trade, industrial and equipment exhibits.
For more information, contact Combest at the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 172, Quitman, MS 39355. You also can call (601) 776-5701.