Black-Eyed Pea Cook-Off, face painting, classic car show among many attractions

By Robby Robertson Staff Writer

Though the Hamburger cook-off has been canceled, there is still going to be plenty for families to do at the 2009 edition of the Fall Festival Saturday at the East Texas Arboretum.

“We are going to have so much going on Saturday, it might take all day for people to see it all,” Teresa Glasgow, Executive Director of the Arboretum, said. “I think the weather is going to be cool, and children will have a blast out here with all we have to do.”

Gates open at 9:30 a.m., but Glasgow said venders can arrive early to set up their booths.

This year, only venders will be allowed in the main gate. There is a second gate at the west end of the property for visitors.

“This year, we cleared out about 14 acres for parking, so people will not have to park on the highway,” Glasgow said. “Everyone needs to come past the main entrance to the second gate, and they will be directed where to park. No one will need to park on the road.”

The Black-Eyed Pea cook-off will be under the pavilion. Judging is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Pea Plates will be for sale at noon under the pavilion.

“The cook-off is a huge deal,” Glasgow said. “We have people from all over the place who are calling, wanting to enter. I have been even taking calls today for people who want to know if it is too late to enter.”

The scarecrow trail is one of the unique parts of the festival each year. School classes and different organizations create different figures to go along the trail.

Some of the scarecrows this year include the Hangin’ Around Gang, the Red Hat Ladies and the Coolaid Man.

Some of the scheduled events include face painting and games for the kids, a classic and modern-day car show. Dealerships from Bacon Auto Ranch and Brinson Ford will show off some of the latest versions of classic cars from days gone by.

Sparky, The Fire Dog is scheduled to make an appearance, along with Don Obeidin, performing his karaoke. There is scheduled to be an art show in the women’s building, a dance group performing and a silent auction.

In the Little Red Schoolhouse, local authors will be reading their books for children, as well as have the books for sale. Local authors include Jennifer Neil, Cheri Foster Colburn, Sharon Ellsberry and Viola Palmer.

A garden workshop with Malakoff Nursery owner Gary Reeves will be at 2 p.m., and the annual dog show will be at 3:30 p.m.

“We are also going to have plenty of food for everyone,” Glasgow said. “We are going to have plenty of hamburgers, hot dogs, snow cones, and sausage-on-a-stick.”

Some of the silent-auction items include jewelry, gift baskets, Japanese art kit, gold framed mirror, pond-in-a-box, garden-tool set, paintings and a chance to have a self-portrait done of yourself.