St. Francis Picnic is Saturday

The annual St. Francis Picnic, which benefits the Hall and Gravel Hill cemeteries, will be held Saturday, July 18, in that community. Activities at the picnic grounds will get underway at 9:45 a.m. with the welcome address by Bro. Don Houston, pastor of the St. Francis Baptist Church.

The first of the pageants and contests will get underway at 10 a.m. as the Baby Contest is held for boys and girls ages birth to 12 months. This year the queen's crown was donated by Piggott Florist and Merle Norman, while the trophies were donated by Lewis Motor Company.

At 11 a.m. the Baby Contest for boys and girls ages 13 to 23 months will be held. This year the queen's crown was donated by State. Rep. Mike Patterson. The trophies are courtesy of Fry Equipment Company.

The air-conditioned dining room also will open at 11 a.m. and fried chicken or chicken and dumpling dinners will be served with all the trimmings.

At 12:30 p.m. there will be entertainment on the main stage featuring Brittany Mann, followed at 1 p.m. by the Toddler Contest for boys and girls ages two to four years old. This year the queen's trophy was donated by Circuit Clerk Janet Luff Kilbreath, and the trophies were donated by The Wise Company.

At 2 p.m. the Little Miss St. Francis pageant, for little girls five to eight, will be held. This year's queen crown was donated by Piggott Realty, the queen's trophy was donated by Paula O. Blackwell of Piggott State Bank and the $50 savings bond was donated by Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home. The alternate's trophies are being provided by Chuck, Sherry and Brian Schulte of Sherry's Hairport and Front Street Pizza; Clay County Air Conditioning and Refrigeration of St. Francis, Clay County Sheriff and Collector Gerald McClung and Clay County Judge Gary Howell and family.

The afternoon will also include entertainment, and at 3 p.m. Patrick Patterson and the Band will take to the stage.

The Junior Miss St. Francis pageant will be held at 4 p.m., and will include girls ages 9 to 12. This year the queen's crown is being donated by Paula O. Blackwell of Piggott State Bank, the queen's trophy is being donated by Bill and Penny Veal of Best Realty and the $50 savings bond for the queen is being provided by Darrell and Ellen Dalton of Pumpkin Hollow. Trophies for the alternates this year are being provided by Morris Farm Center of St. Francis, The Wise Company, The Piggott Times and Clay County Air Conditioning and Refrigeration of St. Francis.

The kitchen also will reopen at 4 p.m. and supper will be served in air conditioned comfort.

More entertainment is on the schedule for 5 p.m. as Kristen Scott will be performing, followed at 6 p.m. by the annual auction of donated items with auctioneer Frank Orr.

The annual Miss St. Francis pageant will be held at 8 p.m. and will include young ladies ages 13 to 18. Providing the queen's crown this year is Clay County Abstract and Title Insurance of Piggott and Community Title and Escrow of Paragould while the queen's trophy was donated by Ed and Pat Morris. Those providing trophies for the alternates are Clay County Circuit Clerk Janet Luff Kilbreath, Clay County Treasurer Carolyn Morrisett, Clay County Clerk Pat Poole and Clay County Assessor Tracy Gurley and Kevin's Tractor Repair.

Immediately following the Miss St. Francis pageant there will be drawings for savings bonds. The winner must be present to claim the prize.