By Vesta Baker
Members of Caddo Community Association are pleased to be producing a two-part Heritage Day event in downtown Caddo, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020.
“The pandemic started us wondering if we would be able to have any kind of event this year,” CCA President Jennifer Wilcox said. “Then the front wall of our museum fell during a wind storm, and that presented a safety problem.”
Early in the summer, members began a Plan B, modified “Heritage Day 2.0”, in case the downtown could not be secured for the full festival activities. Plans were expanded quickly when the City was able to hire a contractor and get the building stable, making it possible to have an event that more closely resembles the traditional all day festival, now on its 36th year. The slogan for the 2020 event is “A Year Like No Other.” A limited number of tee shirts will be on sale, at the welcome booth.
The scarecrow contest starts the festivities, providing decorations for the venue. The contest has an open category for individuals or groups, with cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. School classes or clubs may enter a scarecrow in the school category, with three pizza parties awarded: one winning Elementary class, one winning Jr High class or group and one winning Sr High class or club entry. Entries should be delivered near Craighead’s from 3-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and will be placed around the street after the judging. Judges’ Criteria: Colorful, Creative, Useable for an actual scarecrow. For questions, call Vesta at 580 367-0358.
Vendors will set up 8-9 a.m. and the street will be closed to traffic. As usual, the parade will start from the school at 10 a.m. Entries should register with parade officials at Caddo school, 600 S. McPherson St., between 8 and 9 o’clock, to secure their place in line. The car show is not planned for this year, but car owners are encouraged to show off their beauties in the parade. CCA is urging school classes, churches or any other groups to build floats. Cash prizes will be awarded. Entries are encouraged to showcase families and friends working and playing, traveling or learning together, to help promote our goal: to celebrate the good things happening in 2020.
After the parade, live entertainment will be on stage till 2 p.m. Vendors and food trucks will be stationed all along Buffalo Street. The popular Corn Hole tournament will again be located in the lot across from City Hall, and a new Bingo tent will be set up on the street. Bounce houses, dunk tank, and free street games for all ages and children’s art show are a few other planned activities. At 2 p.m., vendors are free to close up, and volunteers will be cleaning up the area and getting ready for the nighttime finale. CCA has invited the band “Last Call”, to perform for a street dance in downtown Caddo, from 8-11 p.m.
For further info. or vendor inquiries, contact Jennifer at 580 634-1456.