Mardi Gras only a week away
Halloween's biggest party comes to the streets of Pinckneyville next week. This will be the 93rd year for the annual Mardi Gras festival.
The celebration began last weekend with the naming of Samantha Steely of West Frankfort as the 2015 Miss Mardi Gras.
The theme is "Daydreams and Nightmares." Lexy Travelstead submitted the winning theme, announced earlier this summer. Pinckneyville Community High School graduate, Macey Comte created this year's theme artwork.
Chamber Executive Director Genevieve Brammeier said new to the festival are a Haunted History Night at the Perry County Jail Museum from 6-9 p.m. this Saturday and an expanded children's play area near the chamber office sponsored by the Pinckneyville Community Hospital and the chamber next Saturday.
Pinckneyville Community High School graduate, Macey Comte used the theme to create the artwork for this year's various programs and T-shirts. The shirts are beautiful and can be purchased for $15 at the Chamber office, First National Insurance in Pinckneyville, and Belle of the Ball. All proceeds benefit the chamber.
In recent years, the single largest event of Mardi Gras isn't the parade, but rather the 50-50 drawing. The 2014 Mardi Gras 50/50 winner took home $15,260!
The 50/50 tickets went on sale beginning October 1, 2015. Ticket sales will conclude after the Mardi Gras parade on October 31. All ticket sellers have been authorized by the Chamber of Commerce. The winning ticket will be drawn in the presence of local law officials and Mardi Gras 50/50 officials. Winning ticket number will be announced at the end of the parade. Winner need not be present to win. Official money amount will be verified by an accredited financial institution by no later than November 1. Winner must claim raffle prize before November 30, 2015. In the case the prize is not claimed, the Winner's portion of the raffle will be rolled over into the following year's drawing. Rules and regulations subject to change without notice.
Tickets are available at Perry County Market Place, TJs Liquors, Stotlar Drug Store, First National Bank of Pinckneyville, The Flower Patch, First National Insurance Services, Belle of the Ball, and the Chamber will have a booth set up in front of the fire station next Saturday and sell the tickets from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Chamber will also be selling tickets during the parade route. The winning ticket will be drawn at the end of the Mardi Gras parade.
On October 24, Haunted History Night will take place at the Perry County Jail Museum from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Red Hawk golf course is hosting the fourth annual glow golf at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 29. The scramble will follow the rules and prizes for the regular Thursday night nine-hole scramble. In this event, golf balls will glow, the course will lead golfers in the right direction with glowing items and golfers are invited to wear glowing clothing.. For more information, contact Red Hawk at 357-8712.
On Friday, October 30, Walnut Street will be set up with food vendors at 1 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., the children's parade will take place, featuring the Junior Panther band and St. Bruno, C.C.S.D. 204 and District 50 students in their costumes. The parade will begin at Mulberry, traveling to South, Walnut and then back oi Mulberry Street.
Friday night at 6 p.m., the Chamber will be set up on South Walnut Street selling 50/50 tickets. Business Trick or Treat begins in the city hall and fire station area. The best decorated business table will be judged at 6 p.m. and a cash prize will be awarded to the winners of the costume contest and pumpkin contest beginning at 6:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Pinckneyville Grade School gym. Street closures will be in effect at 5 p.m.
The seventh annual Foundation for Pinckneyville sponsored masquerade party will take place at the Illinois Harvest LLC Shed on Goldeneye Road in Pinckneyville, on Friday at 6 p.m. Social hour will be from 6-7 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The the silent auction and dance lasts until 11 p.m. Proceeds from the party will be used to help reinstate the PCHS agriculture program. For ticket information contact 618-571-1171. Additional Friday night festivities will be conducted at the K of C Hall, who will be hosting a dance from 8 p.m. until close with "Barton Holler" The annual costume contest will be at 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 31 begins with the annual Lion's Club pancake breakfast from 6-11a.m. at the Lion's Den on Douglas Street. The craft fair and vendor market will open at 8 a.m. and run through 3 p.m. The craft fair will feature events such as wine tasting, beautiful crafts, jewelry, homemade goods, 50/50 ticket sales at the Chamber tent and much more.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, the Pinckneyville Fall Classic Run/5K Walk will begin from the Perry County Fairgrounds. For more information , log on to www.pyramidrunningclub.com or call Marvin Bochatin at 357-8757.
Registration for the annual car show will begin at 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday on West Mulberry Street, near the grade school. Judging starts early and awards will be given at 2:30 p.m. Enjoy entertainment from the Big Elvis DJ Show.
The Pinckneyville Hospital is sponsoring a free family fun area outside of the Chamber office, which will include a petting zoo, bounce house and popcorn. Center Court will be alive with action from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Center Court is located between the fire station and city hall. The festivities will begin at 9:30 p.m. with Blend, an a cappella singing group. The Precious Pumpkin will be awarded at 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Perry County Humane Society will host a costumed dog show at 2 p.m.
From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. the Panther Connection alumni tent will be set up in the First National INsurance parking lot. "Zydeco Crawdaddy' Cajun Band" will preform. First National Bank is adding a photo booth to its already popular Panther Connection. Everyone is invited to stop by and have their picture taken for free. You can pin up one of the photos on the Panther Connection bulletin board under your class year. First National Bank sponsors the event.
At 1:30 p.m. Pinckneyville High School will be hosting the annual field show competition. The Marcxhing Panthers will perform in exhibition..
"Daydreams and Nightmares" Mardi Gras parade is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The parade will feature approximately 100 entries, including floats, marching bands, and costumed individuals. Kids are encouraged to bring candy bags.
"We've Got It Covered" will be entertaining the K of C Hall crowd from 9:00 p.m. to close with a consume contest at 10:00 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded.