September 9, 2015 - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce announces the 39th East Texas Poultry Festival, presented by Farmers State Bank, will kick-off Wednesday, September 23rd with several events, including the Chicken Fajita Lunch, the Doo-Dah Parade and the Chicken Cooking Contest. These events usher in the season prior to the Festival opening Thursday, October 1st.
The Chicken Fajita Kick-Off Lunch sponsored by East Texas Poultry Supply starts at 11:00 a.m. on the Historic Downtown Center Square according to Chairman, Bryan Wages. The lunch includes two chicken fajitas, chips, salsa and a drink for $7 per plate and delivery is available for 5 or more advance orders by calling 598.3682 or emailinginfo@shelbycountychamber.com by Friday, September 18th. An order form for the Fajita Lunch, as well as other Poultry Festival Events, is available on the Poultry Festival Event page on the Chamber web site, www.shelbycountychamber.com.
Center Tire Company is the Platinum Sponsor for the East Texas Poultry Festival's Doo-Dah Parade. Decorated floats, trailers, tractors, or business vehicles lend a great time, and just about anything goes! Participants will line up at the Farmers State Bank Drive-Thru at 4:00. The parade will circle the historic downtown square led by the Shelby County Junior Chamber of Commerce at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23rd.
Following the parade Shelby County Chefs will highlight chicken recipes at the Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods. Trophies and cash prizes are given to the top cooks by categories, including People’s Choice and the Best Dressed Table. The public is invited to come out at 5:30 p.m. on the east side of the Square and try all the dishes for $5. To enter the contest recipes may be emailed to info@shelbycountychamber.com, mailed to or dropped off at the Chamber offices, 100 Courthouse Square, A-101, Center, Texas 75935. Chairman Denise Merriman states the deadline for submitting recipes is Wednesday, September 16th.
Festival chairman Jim Sawyer announces the evening‘s events will also include a live and silent auction at the Rooster Revel sponsored by Texas State Bank at 6:00 p.m. The exclusive Rooster Revel 2015 metal art silhouette designs are created and hand painted by the Center High School Agribusiness and Marketing students led by teacher, Jessica Shadix. “Meet the Artist” will take place Wednesday, September 9th at 11:00 a.m. in the Center High School library. The limited edition artistic creations will be on display for public viewing at various business locations prior to the auction, according to Chairman, Andi Foster.
Two Festival events which highlight Shelby County’s rich heritage are the Quilt Show sponsored by Scull Timber and Photography Show sponsored by Vieux Carre’ Photography. Local artistic talent will be displayed October 1, 2 and 3. The Quilt Show will be held in the 1885 Historic Courthouse on the Center Square from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Quilt entrants may be either the owner of the quilt(s) entered or have been involved in the execution/making of the quilt(s). The categories for entries are: Hand pieced/hand quilted, Appliqué/hand quilted, Machine pieced/hand quilted, Appliqué machine/machine quilted, Machine pieced/machine quilted, Miniature Quilts, Wall Hangings, Theme Quilts and Traditional Quilts. Heirloom quilts are welcomed.
The Photography Show will be held at the Vision Source office of Dr. Charles Collard located next to the Rio Theatre on the Center Square from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. all three days of the Poultry Festival. Photography Show Categories include Fine Art, Scenic, Urban, People, Animals, Digital Manipulation, Flowers and Poultry according to Chairman Billie Jones. The age groups are, Children, 12 & under / Youth, 13-18 / Adults, 19 & over.
For more information, please call the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at 936.598.3682.
