Fall festival set Oct. 10

— The Chamber of Commerce is continuing to make plans for the upcoming Oct. 10 Fall Festival. Included in the planning are the following activities and events:

• Miss Octoberfest;

• Sky divers from Sky Ranch in Siloam Springs;

• Car show sponsored by Gentry Fire Dept.;

• Softball tournament;

• Poker run;

• Quilt show;

• Kyla Horton concert;

• Pumpkin painting;

• Wrestling show;

• Turning Point worship concert;

• Tug-a-fire-truck contest;

• Food and games;

• Inflatable rides;

• Safari rides and petting zoo;

• Talent show;

• Wagon rides;

• Balloons;

• Entertainment by Meagan White;

• Food booths and game booths hosted by Gentry United Way agencies;

• Commercial booths;

• Televised Razorback game; and a

• Blast from the past concert.

Featured entertainment at this year's festival is Blast from the Past, featuring the music of Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. These entertainers and their bands will take the stage at 7 p.m. in the Gentry City Park.

The concert will be free, but concert goers will need to bring their own lawn chairs if they wish to listen in comfort.

Honoring Twitty is Randy Holland, two-time winner of "You Can Be a Star" in the Nashville Network.

Bill Holden will pay the tribute to Orbison. He is from Branson, Mo., and has been performing with Tony Orlando for the past five years. Holden also performed in the famous "Legends in Concert" at Las Vegas.

Barry Humphries will perform the music and style of Elvis. He is a police officer by day but is "Elvis" at night. Humphries is a guest performer on cruise ships and was one of the top Elvis impersonators at the Isle of Capri National finals in Biloxi, Miss.

"We are so excited to have this group coming to Gentry for this event," said Bev Saunders, executive director for the Gentry Chamber of Commerce. "We've been working on it for a while. They will join a growing list of entertainers, including Meagan White of Springdale, Kyla Horton of Marshall and the Turning Point Praise and Worship Team from Gentry. This is going to be a great day for our community and lots of fun," Saunders said.

"We'll have lots of other fun things happening as well, including a car show, wrestling exhibition, inflatables for the kids, sky divers, arts and craft booths, lots of food, co-ed softball tournament, free wagon rides, an antique tractor show, an incredible quilt show in the library and more. We hope everyone will plan to spend Oct. 10th in the Gentry Park," Saunders said.

And, with the Fall Festival fast approaching, it's time once again to enter quilts in the annual quilt show.

The quilt show is set for Oct. 9-16 at the Gentry Public Library. Many visitors are expected to view the quilts on Oct. 10. But the show will go on, and visitors are expected throughout the following week.

Last year's show featured more than 85 quilts from across the region, with some being very rare and unique. Show coordinator Janie Parks expects even more quilts to be displayed this year.

Quilt makers may enter modern, antique, miniature and applique quilts, either hand- or machine-stitched.

Applications may be picked up at Parks Lumber Co., 121 S. Nelson Street, Gentry.

For more information or application forms, call Janie Parks at 479-936-1498 or 736-2340.

Gentry's Got Talent, an open talent show, will begin around 3 p.m. in the performing pavilion. A $200 cash firstplace prize and a $100 cash runner-up prize will be awarded. The prizes are sponsored by Arvest Bank.

Entry forms may be obtained at Gentry City Hall or by calling 736-2358 to receive one by mail. There is no entry fee for the competition, but forms must be postmarked no later than Oct. 5 or turned into Gentry City Hall no later than Oct 6. Due to time restriction, entries could be limited. They will be accepted on a firstcome basis - including postmarks.

Check-in for participants and CDs will be at about 2 p.m. in front of the performing stage in the park. Judges' decisions will be final. All ages are encouraged to participate.

Arts and craft vendors are also invited to be a part of the Gentry Fall Festival as well. Vendors many pick up a application forms at Gentry City Hall or call 736-2358 to receive an application by mail. The deadline for vendor booths is Oct. 5. Booth space starts at $50 for a 12-by-12-foot space. Larger booth spaces are available.

News, Pages 1, 2 on 09/23/2009