Time to Register for Lum & Abner Festival Events

SUBMITTED BY CANDACE RINER –

The Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission would like to invite you to join the fun at the 38^th Annual Lum & Abner Festival June 5 & 6. Voted “Best New Festival in Arkansas” in 2006 by the Arkansas Festival & Events Association and “Top 20 Events in the Southeast” in 2010 by the Southeast Tourism Society the festival has received statewide publicity in various newspapers, specialty publications, and television. 2015 promises all of the traditional favorites… and a few new ones.

Lum & Abner Car, Truck, Corvette & Motorcycle Show

Presented by the Polk County Developmental Center
Registration is from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. No pre-registration is required. Enjoy a great selection of beautiful cars, trucks, corvettes and motorcycles displayed in the historic Janssen Park. Registration fee is $20. All proceeds go to Polk County Developmental Center. Free t-shirts to first 75 entries. Dash Plaques & Goodie Bags for first 100 entries. Door prizes – 50/50 Pot – Wipe Out Board – Music. Awards at 3 p.m.

All American Lumberjack Show

The All American Lumberjack Show is a festival favorite. The Lumberjacks are a must see! There will be 2 All American Lumberjack Shows & 1 Kid’s Lumberjack Sport Camp with chain saw carving between each day of the festival. The fun will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday.

The Outlaws Gunfighter Group

The Outlaws will thrill the audience with their comical, yet authentic, old west cowboy show! The group will entertain from their own Old West Town set up at the corner of 7^th and Port Arthur. The family and kid friendly shows will take place throughout the day on Friday and Saturday and has become a Lum & Abner favorite.

Live Entertainment ALL Weekend

The Lil’ Miss & Mister Lum & Abner Pageant produced each year by the local Lady Ouachita’s organization will be held Saturday on the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage at 10:30 a.m. There will be LIVE entertainment Friday and Saturday of the festival from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. See schedule of events for the list of entertainment acts. Live music includes something for everyone including rock, country, blues, gospel, bluegrass and more.

Lum & Abner Activities at the OLT

You can’t have a Lum & Abner Festival without offering the talents and humor of those it was named after! The local Ouachita Little Theatre will be showing a classic Lum & Abner film on Thursday, June 4^th at 7:30 p.m. Entry is free, but donations will be accepted. In addition, there will also be 10 minute live performances on stage at Janssen Park both days of the festival. The OLT will also be hosting members of the National Lum & Abner Society and their special guest actors, writers, and cartoonists on Saturday afternoon. Donnie Pitchford, Lum & Abner writer, cartoonist, and voice actor will be doing comic strip drawings in the park at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. See schedule of events for specific times and details.

Vendors

Vendors from nearby states, as well as, local crafters, artisans, and more will be offering their items at this year’s festival. Vendors include arts & crafts and a great variety food concessions. Items range from planter boxes, wood crafts, birdhouses, garden décor, to honey, handmade scarves, jewelry, soaps, and unique creations. Food vendors will offer some tasty treats, such as, bar-b-que, Indian tacos, hamburgers, homemade fried pies along with festival favorites like funnel cakes, corn dogs, nachos and kettle corn. The famed Texas Twisters will return with the festival favorite drink along with great homemade soda selections.

            Mena Lion’s Club BBQ Cook Off

This event will run Saturday, June 6 of the festival. The cook off will be pulled pork sandwiches. Beginning at 11 a.m. the Lion’s Club will begin selling meals to the public.

            5K Walk/Run

This year’s 5K walk/run will both start and end at Janssen Park. The event will kick off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. Registrations will be accepted until 7:30 am on race day. Registration forms are available on line at www.VisitMena.com and click on the Lum & Abner link. Entry fee is just $20 and includes a Lum & Abner t-shirt. First, Second and Third place winners in each division will be awarded medals.

            3 on 3 Basketball

Always a popular event of Lum & Abner is the 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament held on Sherwood Street. Event t-shirts will be included with the registration fee. The winning teams with receive medals. Registrations will be honored until 9 am, June 6 and are available on line at www.VisitMena.com just click on the Lum & Abner Featured Event link. The tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 6.

Fishing Derbies

Once again being organized by the local B.P.O.E. (Elks) with assistance by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, the derbies will offer 3 different categories: Seniors (55+), physically challenged and children ages 5-12. See schedule for exact times for each division. The derbies will be held at the ponds in Janssen Park. There is no need to pre-register and no cost to participate. Bring your own tackle and bait.

Lum & Abner Softball Tournament

This year’s softball tournament will take place at Aubrey Tapley Complex. Contact Nathan Fowler at 479-234-5883.

RE/MAX Baby Crawlin’ Contest

The festival that claims “something for everyone” holds true to the claim! Mena RE/MAX sponsors this event which is held on Saturday of the festival. Registration is on-site and race times are at 10:45 am and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. For additional information, contact Mena RE/MAX at 479.394.5000.

            Union Bank Firefighter’s Challenge

The local hometown bank, the Union Bank of Mena, is once again the corporate sponsorship of this very popular event. The event will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6 in Janssen Park and includes fun events such as Bucket Brigade, SCBA Donning, Firefighter Relay, Wild Line Recovery, a Waterball Fight and some new games. Both local and out of town fire departments compete. Prize money and trophies are awarded.

Kiddie Korner

The Kiddie Korner will be located near the playground area of Janssen Park. Besides the playground, children can also enjoy inflatables including a slide, obstacle course and bounce house. Returning for 2015 is the LocoMotion Trackless Train and the rock climbing wall. Other activities will be available for children throughout the park including face painting and kids’ games.

Outhouse Races

The outhouse races will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 5 on 9th Street. This is a very unique and fun event to compete in and watch! Don’t have your own Outhouse? We have several to choose from, so just gather your team and come have some fun! There is no cost to compete.

T-Shirts, Maps & Info

The festival “office” will be in the cabin. Souvenir t-shirts will be on sale and maps and brochures on the area will be available. Other Mena and Lum & Abner souvenirs will also be available. Festival staff will be wearing YELLOW staff shirts and be throughout the park during the festival to offer assistance.

 

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