The 72nd Annual Dogwood Festival is this Saturday, April 4, 2015, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with the Dogwood Dash, a 5K fun run, in Woodville, Texas.
Festivities for the event include a parade with Congressman Brian Babin as Parade Marshall. “The Board selected Dr. Babin in recognition of [his] devotion and commitment to the citizens of Tyler County and the 36th Congressional District of Texas,” said Buck Hudson, Tyler County Dogwood Festival Executive Director.
The pageant will present the Dogwood Festival princesses, Hannah Conner, daughter of Cheryl Conner and Curtis Conner (Spurger); Morganne Ross, daughter of Carl and Julie Faircloth and Lt. Colonel William Joshua Ross (Colmesneil); Laken Read, daughter of Wade and Stacy Read (Chester); Kiley Young, daughter of Will and Christy Young (Warren) and Rhiannon Odom, daughter of Jeatonne Odom and Buck Odom (Woodville). One princess will be chosen as Queen and will be crowned at the coronation ceremony that evening.
Included in this year’s court are trainbearers Mckayla Pittman, daughter of Chris and Raven Rogers and J.R. Pittman (Colmesneil); Baylee Cooley, daughter of Chad and Christy Cooley (Woodville); and Mikayla Odom, daughter of Robert and Sherry Odom (Spurger). Standing (left to right) Emma Spurlock, daughter of Jason and Kim Spurlock (Warren); and Josey Sturrock, daughter of Billy Jack and Casey Sturrock (Chester).
Visiting Duchesses are Jessica Johnson, Anderson; Victoria Johnson, Beaumont; Emily Stafford, Lufkin; and Kelsey Mauer, Kirbyville.
Children of the court are Hollie Jarrott, daughter of Cody and Joanna Jarrott (Woodville); Landry Barnes, daughter of Travis and Sheryl Barnes (Chester); Cadence Anthony, daughter of Denny and Ashley Loftin and Bobby Anthony, Jr. (Spurger); and Hayley Hoskins, daughter of Craig and Morgan Hoskins (Woodville). Standing (left to right): Jesse Bittick son of Calvin and Adrienne Bittick (Colmesneil); Easton Evans son of Michael and Sarah Evans (Woodville) and Slade Mashaw son of Phillip and Jolea Mashaw (Warren).
The festival will include arts and crafts booths, food vendors,an antique car show and a motorcycle exhibition. The event concludes with the Dogwood Queen coronation and a play presenting Woodville’s history, followed by a fireworks display.
