Rector ready for big celebration

While a popular proverb notes "It takes a village to raise a child," Rector residents, both past and present, have worked together to create an environment which is both welcoming and supportive of those who call Rector home. Essentially, it takes a whole village to make a true community.

Because of this caring, family atmosphere, Rector has remained home for so many, even if they now have lives elsewhere. The sense of homecoming associated with Rector translates yearly into crowds of people numbering into the thousands who return to town for the annual Labor Day Picnic.

In fact, the turnout has become so great that "Labor Day" in Rector has grown to encompass the entire holiday weekend with numerous events taking place, allowing visitors and residents alike the opportunity to reconnect and take part in a cornucopia of activities.

Activities Begin Friday

Ranch Rodeo Action, sponsored by the Rector Saddle Club, will kickoff Labor Day weekend activities in Rector at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 3 and 4, at the Rector Arena, located just off Highway 49 behind the old Rector Sportswear building.

Events will include free sheep riding for children six and under, chute dogging and steer riding for those 18 and under ($20 fee), a free calf scramble for kids eight and under (first place wins a bicycle both nights), team roping ($20 per team), wild cow milking ($30 per team) and wild horse race ($30 per team). Ring of Fire is an open event.

Tickets will be $5 at the gate with children six and under admitted free with an adult. Negative coggins is required.

"Please come ride in the grand entry," said a club spokesman. "Bring the children for a night of family fun."

Those who want more information may call Ward Robinson at (870) 215-2223 or Shane Shipley at (870) 595-4858.

Hall Of Fame Luncheon

Rector grads Ethridge "Bokum" McKeel and Donald Ray Pruett will join the 1964-1965 state runners-up Blackcat basketball team in being inducted into the Rector High School Sports Hall of Fame in a luncheon ceremony set to begin at noon Saturday, Sept. 4, in the school cafetorium.

All former lettermen of any sports, family and friends are invited to attend.

Great Picnic Food

A variety of food items will be available Sunday and Monday at the picnic grounds at Memorial Park.

A plate lunch, including coffee or tea, will again be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday in the Rector Community Center dining room. Prices are $6 for lunch and drink and $2 for dessert only and drink.

Donations of whole kernel corn, blackeyed peas, green beans and Trio mashed potatoes (all available at Harps in gallon containers) may be taken to the Community Center. If purchased at Harps, the items may be left there for storage for those who prefer.

Cakes and pies also are needed for the noon meal, as well as fresh okra, tomatoes and bell peppers. Those items should be delivered to the Community Center the day of the picnic.

Carnival, Early Pageants

The ever-popular carnival will set up early at Rector Memorial Park, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, has been declared as Armband Day, providing rides at discount prices. Armbands also may be used from 4 p.m. until the end of the picnic on Monday, Sept. 6.

Along with carnival fun and good food, those visiting the picnic grounds Sunday afternoon also can enjoy the picnic's first pageants for girls who attend Rector school.

Girls ages 5 through 8 will compete for the title of Petite Miss Rector in a pageant from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, on stage at Rector Memorial Park. Church dress is required. Entry fee is $20. Pageant directors Whitney Conley and Nancy Holcomb may be contacted at (870) 240-3079 (evening) or (870) 522-3206 (evening).

The Preteen Miss Rector pageant for girls ages 9 through 11 will be from 3 to 4 p.m. with church dress required. Practice will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, on stage at the park. Entry fee is $20. Pageant director Sarah Fannin may be contacted at (870) 595-4342.

The Junior Miss Rector pageant for girls ages 12 to 15 will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Church dress is required and the entry fee is $20. Directors Candy and Ashley Williams may be contacted at (870) 598-4537. Practice for the Junior Miss Rector pageant will be at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3. Practice is mandatory. No contestants will be accepted after practice has been held. The entry fee and forms must be turned in at the practice.

A new addition to Labor Day pageants, the Ms. Rector contest, will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday. The pageant is open to contestants ages 22 and up who are single or married and who graduated from Rector High School or currently live or work in Rector. Formal dress is required. Practice is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at the park. Registration is $20.

Director for the event is Jade Simpson, who may be contacted at (870) 236-0587.

Helping Hands Auction

The Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation will hold its annual auction at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Rector Community Center multi-purpose room. Featured items will be beautiful original paintings by Rector native Paul Frets, now of Radford, Va., and Rector resident Gail Ford. Also up for auction will be a 1994-1995 tour jacket from the Rollings Stones and a black Army Cracker Barrel rocking chair signed by the artists who performed at the 2010 Helping Hands Foundation concert, including Dailey & Vincent, Mark Lowry, Jason Crabb, Charlotte Ritchie, Gene McDonald and Kevin Williams. There also will be a number of other hot items sure to find a lot of interest. All proceeds of that auction go to the Foundation for its work in helping disadvantaged Rector students.

Colorful Parade

The 2010 Rector Labor Day parade Monday morning will feature politicians, the Rector High School Marching Band, colorful floats, antique cars, beauty queens, horses, clowns and much more.

Rector Mayor Ron Kemp will be honored as the parade Grand Marshal.

The parade will begin at the corner of Main and Third Streets, proceed south on Main Street, turn east on Highway 49 and go by Rector Health and Rehabilitation before ending near the park.

Officials who have indicated they will take part in the parade include Governor Mike Beebe, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, Congressman Marion Berry, State Sen. Robert Thompson and State Rep. Mike Patterson.

Political candidates attending will include: Jim Keet, candidate for governor; Chad Causey, candidate for First District Congressional seat; Tim Fox, candidate for Arkansas Supreme Court; Rick Crawford, candidate for First District Congressional seat, and Mark Darr, candidate for Lt. Governor.

No ATVs or golf carts are allowed in the parade, but bicycles are encouraged. Sherland Hamilton is parade chairman. Those who want more information about the parade may call 595-3501.

Picnic Program

A welcome address by Rector Mayor Ron Kemp will begin the official Labor Day program at the park at 9:55 a.m., followed by a concert by the Rector High School Marching Band.

Attending politicians will speak briefly beginning at 10:15 a.m.

The oldest man and woman at the picnic, as well as the couple married the longest present that day, will be recognized at 10:55 a.m.

Pageants Monday will begin with the always-popular baby contest at 11 a.m. There will be specific starting times for each age group to make it easier for both babies and their parents. Contestants should register with Nancy Holcomb or Whitney Conley at (870) 522-3206 or (870) 240-3079. Entry fee is $20. Casual or church dress is required. Baby pageants are open to everyone.

Times for each age group are:

Tiny Mr. Rector for ages 0 to 12 months, 11 a.m.

Tiny Miss Rector for ages 0 to 12 months, 11:30 a.m.

Baby Mr. Rector for ages 13 to 23 months, 12 noon.

Baby Miss Rector for ages 13 to 23 months, 12:30 p.m.

Contestants in each age group should confirm entry 15 minutes prior to their pageant time.

Toddler pageants, also open to everyone, will be directed by Shannon Haywood, who may be contacted at (870) 595-3699. The Little Mr. Rector contest, for boys ages 2 to 4 years, will be at 1 p.m., and the Little Miss Rector contest for girls 2 to 4 years will be at 1:30 p.m.

Contestants in each age group should confirm entry 15 minutes prior to their pageant time. Casual or church dress is required.

Music Program

A program of musical entertainment will begin with the Rector High School Girls Chorus at 2 p.m. From there, Rector church choirs will take the stage, beginning with the Rector First Baptist Church at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Rector First General Baptist Church choir at 3 p.m. and the Rector First United Methodist Church choir at 3:30 p.m.

At 4 p.m., Chad Garrett will take the stage with his easy listening style of country and rock and roll ballads. Rector's own Michelle Fannin will perform a collection of gospel songs beginning at 4:30 p.m. The popular Dooleys, formerly of Rector, will present gospel music at 5 p.m.

The Patrick Patterson Band will conclude the day's music with a mixture of country and southern rock starting at 6 p.m.

The person (or family) who traveled the farthest for the 2010 picnic will be recognized at 7:45 p.m.

The annual Miss Rector pageant at 8 p.m. will feature local beauties. All contestants will be given a business sponsor, who will pay the $25 entry fee. Director Jade Mount may be contacted at (870) 236-0587. The Miss Rector contest is open to any girl ages 16 to 21 who has never been married and never had children. Contestants must attend school in the Rector School District or must have graduated from the Rector School District. Formal dress is required. Practice for the Miss Rector pageant will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, on stage at the park.

$1,000 Drawing, T-Shirts

A drawing for $1,000 will follow the Miss Rector pageant and close the day's events. The winner does not have to be present to win. Tickets are $1 each, six for $5 or 25 for $20. All proceeds go to Woodland Heights Cemetery.

Labor Day t-shirts now are on sale at Now & Then, Rector Downtown Drug, Glen Sain Motors and the Rector Community Center. Prices are $10 for children's sizes, $12 for adult S-XL and $14 for adults XXL and XXXL.

Official passes for the picnic workers may be picked up at Regions Bank or Liberty Bank.