The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce announces the 38^th East Texas Poultry Festival season will kick-off next Wednesday, September 24 with several events, including the Chicken Fajita Luncheon, the Doo-Dah Parade sponsored by Center Tire Company and the Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods.  These events usher in the season prior to the Festival opening Thursday, October 2.

Tickets for the Fajita Kick-Off Luncheon are $7 each, with sales to start at 11 a.m. next Wednesday until sold out. You can call-in orders to 598-3682, or fax orders to 598-5032, and you’re asked to have those orders in by today, Friday. Deliveries will be made for orders of 5 or more.

The Poultry Festival Open Photography Show will be held at Vision Source, located next to the Rio Theatre, Oct. 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Event chairman and coordinator Billie Jones says entries will be accepted at First United Methodist Church in Center tomorrow, Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entry fee is $2 per entry. Categories include children, youth and adults. Photography show entry forms and rules can be picked up at the chamber office or online at shelbcountychamber.com.

The Texas Education Extension Association is hosting the annual quilt show during the East Texas Poultry Festival. Quilts will be on display at the Historic Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Jheri-Lynn Smith, Quilt Chair, says you can pick up your registration packets at the chamber of commerce, or extension office, or online at shelbycountychamber.com.