Festival of the Arts to kick off annual Tyler County Dogwood Festival

Demonstrators will be on hand for Festival of the Arts. Some common sights include blacksmithing as well as spinning and weaving demonstrations. The Sassy Scrappers Quilt Guild will have quilts on display in the Fiber Arts Building during the weekend. BOOSTER FILE PHOTOS BY JIM POWERS

By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – This weekend sees the start of the 81st iteration of the annual Dogwood Festival, with Festival of the Arts, at Heritage Village, on Saturday and Sunday.

Both dates, March 23-24 will feature plenty of exhibits, live music and great food on Sunday’s Dinner on the Grounds.

The first weekend of the festival, according to the organizers, allows visitors an opportunity to celebrate the heritage and culture of Tyler County, and the opportunity “to step back in time,” with a tour of Heritage Village.

There will be live music from the stage, a quilt show and other fun to witness. Bubba and Sharon Meaux, of the Meaux Legacy, will headline Saturday’s entertainment from the stage, and will play from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Meauxs’ music comes from a rich Southeast Texas musical tapestry, and the husband-and-wife duo are a fine continuance of a family musical tradition.

They have entertained audiences all over the region and are favorites at events such as the monthly Kirbyville Country Music Show.

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Also, in keeping in with tradition, Heritage Village Director Ofeira Gazzaway is inviting the public to come and check out an exhibit in the special exhibits room located behind the museum gift shop, featuring memorabilia from festivals past, and coronation gowns from former Dogwood Queens.

The Dinner on the Grounds event, on Sunday, will last from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., with Tyler County Heritage Society volunteers cooking up and serving a smorgasbord of tasty, home-cooked food, which will include smoked meats and various covered dishes.

There will be a Palm Sunday service taking place inside the Cherokee Church, beginning at 10 a.m., hosted by Hope United Methodist Church. Everyone is welcome.

Festivalgoers can also take a look at the buggy and wagon exhibit, on display inside of the Village Buggy Barn. Additionally, the Piney Woods Lakes Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists will be on hand to provide information on enhancing our region’s natural resources.

The fun all begins at 9 a.m. when the gates open, both days, and festivities go until 3 p.m. inside of the Village.

The world-famous Pickett House restaurant will be open both days, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, for attendees who want some of that legendary, mouth-watering fried chicken and all of the great side dishes.

Tickets for the dinner-on-the-grounds date can be purchased at the gate, or from any Tyler County Heritage Society board member, or from Sullivan’s Hardware or the Tyler County Booster. The admission prices are $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for children ages 12 to 4, and free for those under four years of age.