Apple Blossom Festival set
By Larry Hurrle - Independent-Enterprise
Thursday, May 7, 2009 10:14 AM CDT
Youngsters enjoy the rides at the Inland Carnival during the 2008 Apple Blossom Festival. This year’s carnival will be nearly twice the size of previous years.
The 2009 Apple Blossom Festival in Payette promises to be bigger and better for those planning to attend.
The biggest change will come in the way of the annual Inland Carnival in Kiwanis Park. The carnival is nearly double in size this year and is touted as the biggest carnival in 49 years to come to Payette.
The carnival officially opens Thursday at 5 p.m. and runs through Sunday.
Pre-ticket sales are on currently on sale and and allow an all-day pass for $20 per day ($30 at the carnival). The pass includes a $3 credit which can be used for food or games within the carnival. Tickets can be purchased from Lonnie’s Market, Jerry’s Buy Way, TIPs Restaurant, Patrick’s Pub, Albertson’s, Minit Market, Meechan's or All Valley Agency. Ticket sales end Wednesday, May 13 at 4 p.m.
Events for the Apple Blossom Festival officially got under way Tuesday when the Apple Blossom Queen and her court were selected. The coronation dinner took place at the Senior Citizen Center in Payette. xxxx xxxx was named queen, while xxxxx and xxxxx were announced as her court.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nightly events kick off Monday, May 11, with an Ice Cream Social in Central Park under the Apple Blossom Event tent. The Ice Cream Social will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with ice cream and homemade cookies and is free to the public. Entertainment will be provided by the Emmett Cloggers. The event is sponsored by Intermountain Community Bank and the Payette Senior Citizen Center.
Tuesday, May 12, kicks off with the Payette Chamber of Commerce Breakfast in Central Park from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Pancake, eggs, ham, coffee and juice will be provided for $6 per person. The Apple Blossom Talent Show begins at 7 p.m. in the Payette High School auditorium. Admission for the talent show is $2 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under, or $5 for a family. Proceeds go to a music scholarship for local students. Cash prizes in the talent show are provided by the Apple Blossom Festival.
Food vendors will begin selling their goods Wednesday, May 13, at 11 a.m. in Central Park and Arts in the Park will kick off at the same time in Central Park. The Payette County Historical Museum will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration for the Pretty Baby Contest gets under way at 5:30 p.m. in Central park and the contest begins at 6:30 p.m. There is a $5 entry fee for the contest. There will be three age groups judged: newborn to 1 year, 1 to 2 years and 3 to 4 years. Winner categories include “Prettiest Eyes,” “Rowdiest Hair,” “Cutest Smile,” “Best Dimples” and “Judges’ Choice.” The event is sponsored by the Payette High School dance team and prizes will be provided by the Apple Blossom Festival.
Action for Thursday, May 14, kicks off at 11 a.m. with Arts in the Park in both Central and Kiwanis parks. The museum will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food vendors will set up in Central Park and Kiwanis Park beginning at 11 a.m. The carnival officially opens at 5 p.m. Registration for the “Gone 2 The Dogs” contest begins at 5:30 p.m. in Central Park. There is a $5 entry fee. Prizes will be awarded in five categories: Best Trick, Best Dressed, Smallest, Biggest and Owner-Dog Look Alike. The Payette Syringa Lions will hold Bingo in Central park from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Gospel Music will be provided by “To Praise Him” in Central Park from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The First Baptist Church Yard Sale will be held at 15 N. 10th St. in Payette from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and the museum will again be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Portia Club Open House and Flower Sale will take place at 225 N. 9th St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Arts in the Park will be in both Central and Kiwanis parks starting at 11 a.m. A benefit barbecue will begin at 3 p.m. in front of Patrick’s Pub. The barbecue, hosted by Henry Hixon, Darrell Draper and Cathy Patrick will go to benefit Help Them To Hope. Chorizos will be sold for $3 apiece, while “Big Dogs” will sell for $2. Smaller hot dogs will be available for the children. The Pie Eating Contest will take place in Central Park at 4 p.m. and is sponsored by Albertson’s. Competition will be divided into three age groups: 1 to 8, 9 to 14 and 15 to adult. This will be limited to six finalists per age group. Finalists will be drawn from entries submitted. Pre-registration is required. A form is furnished on the back of the Apple Blossom schedule, which can be picked up at most local merchants in Payette or at the Payette Chamber of Commerce. Entries must be turned in at Albertson’s. The carnival again opens at 5 p.m. and the Outlaw Lawn Dragsters will kick into high gear at 6 p.m. on Main Street. Live music will be performed at the Apple Blossom Event tent in Central Park from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be provided by “504 Plan” playing classic rock and roll.
Saturday’s events begin with registration for the Rods of Ages Car Show at 8 a.m. at 815 First Ave. S. Battle of the Bands will take place at 10 a.m. at the Payette Primary School soccer field and is sponsored by Intermountain Community Bank. The Help Them To Hope benefit barbecue will kick off at 11 a.m. in front of Patrick’s Pub. The barbecue is hosted by Henry Hixon, Darrell Draper and Cathy Patrick and will have chorizos for $3 apiece and “Big Dogs” for $2. Smaller hot dogs will be available for the children. The barbecue will move to the Payette Sports Complex at the high school for the fireworks celebration at 5 p.m. Arts in the Park begins in both parks at 11 a.m., while food vendors will be in Central Park starting at 11 a.m. The carnival opens at noon.
The Apple Blossom Parade begins on Main Street and will run the length from Northwest Third Avenue to Southwest Second Avenue. At 2 p.m. live music will be held at the Apple Blossom Event tent in Central Park until 4 p.m. Music will be provided by “Kinetic Karma” featuring soft rock. The Zumba Exhibition Party will beheld at the event tent in central park featuring dance and exercise presentations and is sponsored by Liz Long. More live music will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the event tent with music provided by “Groove Dogs.” The Apple Blossom Finale Fireworks Display will begin at dusk at the high school sports complex. The fireworks are sponsored by the Payette Fire Department and the Apple Blossom Festival committee.
The carnival is scheduled to run all day Sunday.
