The Town of Campti is celebrating its 21st Annual “Smokin’ on the Red Festival” Oct. 21-23. The theme is “Better Together.”
The festivities will kick off Friday, Oct. 21. There will be a Magician, Face Painting, Pumpkin Shine, Cake/Toy Walk, and Street Dance to the beats of DJ Doc Couty.
Saturday’s festival day will step off with the biggest and most diverse parade in the history of the festival. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at the old Campti Jr. High located at 176 Barnum St. and will progress through the heart of Campti to end at the festival grounds located at 197 Edenborn St. Parade participants are coming from near and far to share their best with the community of Campti. Some of this year’s new parade participants will be Miss Merry Christmas and the Christmas Belles of Natchitoches and Arcadia High School Band. This year’s parade Grand Marshall will be, Eleanor Gill, the matriarch of CP-Tel Company’s founding family.
Following the parade, the festival stage will be a constant source of entertainment and fun. Contests include:
The Memorial R.B. “Papa” Williams Rib Cook-Off, which will reveal the king of the grill
The Homemade Jelly Contest that will leave everyone wishing for biscuits and bacon
Campti’s “Got Talent” entertainment will spotlight the best local talent that sings and performs like the stars Ruckus on the Red Alumni basketball game, which will be held at Lakeview High School For folks that like to be scared silly, don’t miss this year’s “Haunted House” hosted by the Lakeview football booster club. Later that evening when the sunsets, Craig George of Creston will provide a spectacular fireworks show. Saturday night will be closed out by a live R&B Show headlined by Hosie L. Collins and the Good Times Band(The Sibley Band).
Sunday’s festival day will be filled with the sound of heaven on earth. Campti’s “Sunday Best” will celebrate the gift of Christian music and artistic expression. There will be praise teams, rappers, praise dancers, miming, poetry, a free soloist singing competition, and much more. This year’s Headline will be House of Refuge from Coushatta featuring Jeniqua Sibley.
For more information contact Velma Turner at 318.476.3321 or vturner@cp-tel.net.
The Lakeview High School band, cheerleaders, and Jr. ROTC are not even mentioned. Why not do a story on the local students who participate in this event?