Its Poultry festival time in Shelby County as the 38th annual East Texas Poultry Festival gets underway this morning on the Historic Courthouse Square in Center with the opening ceremonies presented by Farmers State Bank on the Frances Oates Stage. The event officially kicks-off at 10 a.m. with the "cutting of the feathers" by 2014 Poultry Festival Queen, Zoey Stuever & Court.

 

Festival co-chair Hollie Adams says the event has come together with the awesome help of the staff at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, as well as chamber members and community volunteers.

 

Also on this morning's opening ceremonies' program is the invocation by Rev. Josh Sanford of Center First Baptist Church; the National Anthem performed by the Roughrider Band; Pledge to the Flag led by the Timpson ISD; and welcomes by County Judge Rick Campbell, Center Mayor David Chadwick, and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce President Derek Pierce.

 

The Food/Arts & Crafts booths will also open at that time, in addition to a couple of on-going displays, including the Quilt Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse, and the Photography Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Vision Source, next to the Rio Theatre.

 

Soon after the opening ceremonies, students from F.L. Moffett Kindergarten classes, Center Elementary Second graders and Third grade classes will perform through lunch.

 

The carnival opens at 4 p.m., with all-u-can ride armbands for $18 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Performing this evening will be Tim & Jessica Hopkins at 6:45 p.m. and Danny Paul Windham & The Pine Hill Review at 7:15 p.m., with Thomas Morrison and the Pack of Strays to follow.

 

Gates will open at 10 a.m. Friday morning, with food/arts&crafts booths to open at lunch. Admission to the poultry festival is a one-time fee of $5.

 

For a complete schedule of events, go to the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce's website, shelbycountychamber.com.