GENTRY — Plans are under way for Gentry’s annual fall festival, to be held from noon until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, at the Gentry City Park.
Sky divers will jump out of airplanes and land in the park at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
A magician will perform throughout the afternoon.
Trout Fishing in America will take the main stage at 3:30 p.m. and perform folk and children’s songs until 5 p.m. The group has been nominated for four Grammies and is a favorite for families across the United States.
Tired Iron of the Ozarks will show off their antique tractors and equipment. They will also be offering free wagon rides all afternoon.
The Gentry Fire Department will host its annual car show in conjunction with the festival. For more information on the show, call Jeff Trammell at 736-9976 or 957-3415.
There will be pumpkin painting and lots of fall festival foods. Gentry United Way agencies will also host games and special activities in efforts to raise funds for the local United Way.
An open talent show is also being planned for the festival. Contestants will be competing for a $300 first prize and a $200 runner-up prize. Prize money is sponsored by Gentry Bank, Decatur State Bank and Bank of Siloam Springs. Only 20 spots are available, so entrants are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.
The Gentry business district will be decorating for fall around Oct. 1. The best decorated business and/or government building will receive a $100 cash prize. The fall décor will remain through the month of October and November. Arvest Bank is sponsoring the street light and sidewalk décor.
McKee Foods will sponsor the annual quilt fair again this year. Quilts will be on display at the Gentry Public Library from Oct. 8to Oct. 15. The event is free to the public.
Those wishing to enter a quilt in the show may contact Janie Parks at 936-1498. Entrants are encouraged to contact Parks as soon as possible because of limited space for quilt displays.
Artisans and craft makers are being invited to Gentry for the festival.
“We are offering free booth space to arts and crafters at this Sunday afternoon event,” said Bev Saunders, Gentry Chamber of Commerce director. “We are also offering free booth space to political candidates and educational booths for Gentry Chamber of Commerce members,” she added.
Anyone wishing to reserve booth space may pick up a form at Gentry City Hall or the Gentry Chamber of Commerce building. Only 25 booth spaces are available and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Forms may be requested by calling Saunders at 736-2358 and leaving a name and mailing address for the form on the answering machine.
More than 600 people visited the fall festival last year from all 50 states and two foreign countries, Saunders said.
News, Pages 3 on 09/01/2010