EVENTS THIS WEEKEND INCLUDE STREET JAM, FUN RUN, PARADE, PAGEANTS, AWARDS
HIGHLANDS Preparations are complete for the big 50th Anniversary Jamboree, set for this weekend. The parade marshal and award recipients have been chosen, and will be featured in the parade.
Jamboree chairperson Margie Elliott told everyone that because this is the 50th anniversary, we have to have the biggest and best celebration ever.
An unusual aspect of this years event will be the awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon, at the Highlands Elementary School. At 5:45 p.m., as the Jamboree winds down, awards will be presented for the Terry Davis Memorial Award, Business of the Year, Outstanding Fire Fighter, Outstanding Deputy Sheriff, and Outstanding Deputy Constable.
Judges have chosen Betty Brewer for the Terry Davis award; Outstanding firefighter Glenn Chisholm; Deputy sheriff, John K. Guthrie; Deputy Constable, Mike Parsons; and business of the year, Sterling-White Chapel.
The honorary parade Grand Marshal will be the recipient of the 2005 Terry Davis Award, chamber president Phillip Morris announced.
Others working on the Jamboree committee include Betty Brewer, in charge of the parade and booths, Tonya Russell and Jessica Woods, in charge of the Raffle, and Ramona Hanagrif in charge of the Silent Auction.
Other Jamboree activities will include pony rides, a petting zoo, train rides, a Boy Scout Barbecue, and a blood drive.
The venue will be the Highlands Elementary School grounds, except as noted for other activities.
Margie Elliott pointed out that the annual Highlands Jamboree is held every year for the last 50 years, on the first Saturday of October, which is Oct. 7th this year.
However, the festivities will start with a Street Jam on Friday night, in Heritage Park on San Jacinto Street in front of the Fire Department, with music and dancing. It will be from 7 to 10 p.m.
Next, on Saturday morning there will be a 5K Fun Run and a 1K Fun Run, starting at the Highlands Community Center at 7:30 a.m.
Promptly at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, the Parade will thrill children and adults who have gathered along Main Street. It starts at E. Houston Street, and continues down Main Street, ending at Jones Road near the St. Judes Church.
Everyone is invited to participate in the parade, with antique cars, contestants for Miss Highlands Pageant, Marching bands, Boys Scouts, Police on Horseback, Highlands Volunteer Fire Department equipment and personnel, local elected officials and lots of floats representing businesses, churches, service organizations, clubs and many others.
The festivities continue all day long, at the Highlands Elementary School with Crafters, Local Historical Exhibits, Living Historians, Games for the Kids, Good Food and much much more. The community is entertained all day with music and fun.
The Annual Jamboree Childrens Pageant begins at 3:00 for children of various ages.
Finishing the evening is the Jr. Miss Highlands and Miss Highlands Pageants, at the Junior High School auditorium.
Proceeds from the Jamboree benefit the Greater Highlands Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce and their many projects. These include college scholarships, Highlands Heritage Museum and Preservation Project, Highlands Heritage Park, Partners in Education with our local schools, Fall Food Drive, Christmas Toy Drive, and Christmas Extravaganza. It also includes the overall promotion of Highlands… and much more.
Parade Awards will be given for Best of Show, Best of Theme, Non-Commercial, Commercial, School Spirit, and Antique Cars. Call 281-426-7227 for additional information.
Registration for the Fun Runs will begin at 7:00 a.m. at the Community Center, and the 5K run will start at 7:30 a.m. The 1K run will start at 8:30 a.m. Walkers are also encouraged to participate. Prizes will be given in 5K for age groups teen to 25, 26 to 49, and 50+. Prizes in the 1K run will be for under 7, 8 to 11, and 12 to 14.
Additional information on the events is available from the Chamber office at 281-426-7227, from Betty Brewer at 281-426-2554, and from Margie Elliott at 281-843-2947.