By Vesta Baker
CADDO – Caddo Community Association held a special Heritage Day planning meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 18 at the home of Peggy Hall. Kayla Harbin reported on the final design for Heritage Day Tee shirts. The design, on a gold shirt, features the theme “Let the Good Times Roll!” and an antique car driving past a Jefferson Highway sign.
Interested persons may place an order for their shirt from Jennifer Wilcox by calling (580) 634-1456. Shirts will also be on sale at Caddo home football games, along with tickets for the great prize drawings. Shirts will also be on sale at Craighead’s. On Saturday, Oct. 20, they may be purchased at the Heritage Day welcome and information booth, which will be prominently located in front of the pavillion, at the intersection of Buffalo and Arkansas.
Members discussed the details of the entertainment, contests and games, to get the order and times of events sent to print. Heritage Day plans extend from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. this year. The Ag Boosters will be offering breakfast burritos for early arrivers, and vendors will be set up by 8 a.m. Cars, trucks and tractors will be in place for the car show by 9 a.m., and the museum will be open.
The beloved SOSU Corvettes will kick off the entertainment at 9 a.m., and Atoka Boy Scout Troop 92 will conduct the flag raising ceremony at 9:30. Excitement is high among CCA members, to have an increase in vendors and activities to offer this year. They are especially thankful for the new volunteers who will make these additions possible.
The sack race will be back in the games for 2018 Caddo Heritage Day. Photo provided.
“Last year when I was at Heritage Day with my kids, I looked around and saw just a few people were running around doing so many different things,” CCA member Lucy Covey said. “I realized, they need help! So I decided it was time for me to get busy and join CCA.” It is not too late for others to join the effort and share the load. There are still many slots to fill.
Any kinds of vehicles or things that roll are wanted for the parade, which always starts at 10:00 from the school. Families, churches or other groups will compete for prizes in the float contest. Float designers should keep in mind the theme, “Let the Good Times Roll!” Cars, trucks or tractor show entries who opt to enter the parade, should register for the car show as early as possible, to be able to register with parade officials by 8:30 at the school. Questions regarding the car show can be directed to Jimmy at (580) 920-3815 or email jwilcox_91@yahoo.com.
Vendors and scheduling coordinator, Jennifer Wilcox, said the activities will extend through two blocks of Buffalo Street this year. The 200 block of Buffalo will hold the Car Show, as well as the Corn Hole tournament and some vendors. The Rock Building holds the Silent auction, directed by Peggy Hall. She starts as soon as Heritage Day is over, to collect items to offer for the auction the following year. The bidding will be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and winners must collect their items by 2 p.m. The proceeds from the auction support the continuing work of CCA, to provide free events throughout the year, to help Caddo area citizens of all ages share the goodness of small town life. There will be a variety of items, interesting to men, women and children.
Good-natured fun is always the rule of the day at Heritage Day. All day long, young and old can try their throwing skills at the dunking booth and a new event: pie-in-the-face booth. The Caddo Volunteer Fire Department conducts a free BB Shoot contest for school age children. FCCLA, under direction of sky Phipps, will be doing the traditional cake walk this year, as a fundraiser for their organization. Caddo Elementary children are invited to participate in an art show, which can be viewed all day in the Police Dept. hallway. If any elementary age children, not attending Caddo Elementary School, would like to participate, they could contact Vesta, at (580) 367-0358.
In addition to the many ongoing activities, free contests for young and old will be held in the middle of the street at a designated time. Look for the schedule posted around town or festival goers may pick up a brochure when they arrive. Children are encouraged to bring a turtle for the turtle race. A kiddie pool will be available to hold them until race time. Owners must paint or decorate their turtle before they arrive, so they can be identified. Men with beards are invited to participate in the second annual Longest Beard contest. Street games for all ages will include a haystack hunt, egg toss, and tote sack race. Heritage Day is a step back in time for many old timers, as they watch the younger generations enjoy the same games they did in the 1970s.
The next planning meeting will be held at Peggy Hall’s home on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. Visitors are always welcome. CCA is made up of all volunteers, busy people, with a commitment and love for their community. Questions may be directed by email to caddocomassoc@gmail.com .