The Provencal Fall Fest kicked off its 25th year on Nov.11. Friday Night featured prayer and gospel singing by local churches and groups. A luminary bag ceremony was held in remembrance of loved ones no longer with us. There was also a Gumbo and dessert cook off.
Saturday morning started with a free pancake breakfast at the community center for veterans, first responders, pastors and their families. There was also a scavenger hunt with a $100 dollar prize.
Provencal’s Mayor Randy Dupree led the parade. The Grand Marshals this year were members of the “Killing Bigfoot” TV show cast. An honored guest was Thomas Sylvest, a 92-year-old veteran who grew up in the Provencal area. He’s written a few books about his childhood and is an amazing story teller. He recognized area veterans and was a featured guest in the parade.
“We always have a float honoring veterans and this year was extra special because the festival fell on Veterans Day,” said Festival Committee member Carla Kay Salard.
There was lots of great food vendors selling gumbo, meat pies, shrimp stuffed pistolettes, fried Oreos and much more. The kids zone featured an inflatable obstacle course, bouncy house, slides and giant hamster balls. There were also several craft vendors.
The band, Landry and Company entertained the afternoon crowd after the parade. Bingo started in the evening, with a huge attendance this year.
Argie V Colston donated a handmade quilt to be raffled in honor of Red Scarbrough, who was a founding member of the Provencal Community Developers group.
“We have a small group of community developers, but there is so much community support in this wonderful small town,” said Salard. “There are countless people who help out in so many ways.”
The next event the Committee is planning is Christmas in the Village on Dec. 16. Kids will have cookies with Santa and get a free picture. Weather permitting an outdoor Christmas movie will be played on a giant inflatable screen, with the night ending in fireworks.
Other events the Committee plans each year include an Easter egg hunt, and Halloween trick or treat at the walking track. Festival Committee members include: Danny and Tammy Graves, Andrea Maley, Kaycee Powell, Christie Miller, Brenda McCain and Carla Kay Salard (Photo credit).
It’s a small community, but it has a heart of gold. I loved living there and wish I could be back again, we raised three sons there and they could have not have grew up in a better place. I know that things and places change as time goes on, but you have someone get sick or need a fund raiser everyone will be there to help. Or have a death in the family, people you haven’t seen in years will be there to lend a hand to do whatever need doing. That’s Provencal in a nutshell. Just hometown folks