It's Labor Day Picnic time-- Welcome Home!

Navy Band Mid-South will be featured in the annual parade. [Click to enlarge]

Flags and banners are going up all over town, weed eaters are buzzing and volunteers are hard at work making preparations for Rector's 68th annual Labor Day Picnic.

Thousands will again gather for this unique homecoming which brings together classmates, friends and family members for great food, lots of fun and a full weekend of activities.

Navy Band In Parade

Military marches and patriotic music by the Navy Band Mid-South will fill the air for the annual Labor Day parade, set to begin at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1. The band is the United States Navy's premier musical organization in the Mid-South region. Attached to Commander, Navy Personnel Command, this diverse group of professional Navy musicians includes active duty men and women performing full-time for the Navy.

The band operates from Millington, Tenn., and is responsible for a 13-state area that stretches north to the Iowa-Missouri border, west to the border of Texas and New Mexico and south into Mississippi and Alabama.

In addition to being a military ceremonial band, the unit maintains other musical ensembles that perform a wide variety of music.

"We are really excited about being able to bring another military band to Rector and our Labor Day Parade," said Mayor Ron Kemp. "This will add a great dimension to the parade and to the overall celebration.

"I would like to thank Congressman Marion Berry and his office for their assistance in helping bring this band to our community."

Teresa Roofe, a longtime member of the Woodland Heights Cemetery Association board and a former picnic chairman, will be honored this year as Grand Marshal of the big parade.

Activities Begin Thursday

Visitors, as well as area residents, are invited to see the amazing art of Rector native Paul Frets in "Return to the Heartland," a retrospective exhibition of his work, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28, 29 and 30, at 610 S. Main Street, a building converted into a gallery by Sherland Hamilton, president of the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation, sponsor of the event (see related article elsewhere in this issue).

The Rector Saddle Club's annual Labor Day Championship Rodeo, sanctioned by the Arkansas Rodeo Association (ARA) and the Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association (CRRA), will begin at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 29 and 30, at the Rector Arena, located behind Memorial Park.

Stock contractor will be J-N Rodeo of Paris, Ark. Specialty act for the rodeo will be Possum Gibson of Jonesboro. Gate admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.

Events include:

Bareback (added money $150), $47; bull riding (added money $150), $47; steer wrestling (added money $150), $47; calf roping (added money $150), $47; cowgirl barrel race (added money $150), $45; team roping (added money $150), $82 team; saddle bronc (added money $150), $47; breakaway roping (added money $150), $47, and junior barrel race (no added money), $15.

Hall of Fame Luncheon

Jess Bucy, a 1948 graduate of Rector High School and a former RHS athlete, coach and superintendent, has been chosen as the first honoree for the new Rector High School Sports Hall of Fame. An induction ceremony and luncheon is set to begin at 12 noon Saturday, Aug. 30, at the RHS cafetorium. All former lettermen of any sports, family and friends are invited to attend.

Tickets for the program are $10 each and may be purchased from Roma Nell Sanders, 566-2341, Tracy Horton, 595-3855, or other selection committee members.

Great Picnic Food

A variety of food items will be available Sunday and Monday at the picnic grounds at Memorial Park. Barbecue, prepared by Earnheart's Rib Rack, will be available beginning Sunday at the picnic grounds.

Concession prices are: barbecue, $2.75; hamburger, $2; drinks, $1; chips, $1; cookies, $1, and candy, 50 cents. Barbecued meat also will be sold by the pound at $5.50 for a whole butt or $6.50 chopped. Various stands also will offer other food items Monday, such as barbecued chicken, baked potato or baked potato loaded with barbecued pork, all at the First Baptist Church stand.

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 or $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, Aug. 31, has been declared as Armband Day, providing rides at discount prices.

Along with carnival fun and good food, those visiting the picnic grounds Sunday afternoon also can enjoy the picnic's first pageants.

Girls ages 5 through 8 will compete for the title of Petite Miss Rector in a pageant from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, on stage at Rector Memorial Park. Practice for the pageant will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at the park. Entry fee is $20, and those who wish may register with Nancy Holcomb or Whitney Conley at (870) 522-3206 or (870) 974-3651. Church dress is required.

The Preteen Miss Rector pageant will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday for girls ages 9 through 11. Contestants may register with Tara Robertson at (870) 595-3400 or (870) 598-4777. Entry fee is $20, and church dress is required.

The Junior Miss Rector pageant, for girls ages 12 through 15, will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Entry fee is $20, and those interested may register with pageant directors Candy and Ashley Williams at (870) 598-4537. Sunday dresses (no pageant wear) are required. Practice for the Junior Miss Rector pageant will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at the park stage.

Colorful Parade

In addition to the Navy Band Mid-South, the 2008 Rector Labor Day parade Monday morning also promises much more, including politicians, the Rector High School Marching Band, colorful floats, antique cars, beauty queens, horses and clowns.

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 the nursing home (Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation) before ending near the park.

Officials who have indicated they will attend and take part in the parade are State Treasurer Martha Shoffner, State Sen. Robert Thompson and State Rep. Mike Patterson.

No ATVs or golf carts are allowed in the parks, 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 9:55 a.m., followed by a brief concert by the Rector High School Band, directed by Craig Wadley.

Organizers of the new Rector High School Sports Hall of Fame will speak briefly after the band plays. Brief political speeches will follow at 10:10 a.m.

The longest married couple and the oldest man and woman present will be announced 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 mothers. Contestants should register with Nancy Holcomb or Whitney Conley at (870) 522-3206 or (870) 974-3651. Entry fee is $20. Dress is casual or church attire. Baby pageants are open to everyone

This year's baby pageants and times include: Tiny Mr. Rector for 0 to 12 months, 11 a.m.; Tiny Miss Rector for 0 to 12 months, 11:30 a.m.; Baby Mr. Rector for 13 to 23 months, 12 noon, and Baby Miss Rector for 13 to 23 months, 12:30 p.m. Contestants in each age group for the baby contest should confirm entry 15 minutes prior to the division starting time.

There also will be specific starting times for the boys' and girls' divisions of the toddler contest. Contestants, ages 2 through 4, should register with Shannon Haywood at (870) 595-3699. Entry fee is $20.

The Little Mr. Rector pageant will begin at 1 p.m., and the Little Miss Rector pageant will follow at 1:30 p.m. Contestants in each group should confirm entry 15 minutes prior to their pageant time. Toddler pageants also are open to everyone. Casual or church dress is required.

Gail Burns is again the director for the Mid-South Fair sanctioned Youth Talent Show to be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The contest is open to anyone in the mid-south area. The junior division will include contestants ages 5 through 12 and the senior division contestants ages 13 through 21. Trophies will be awarded to first, second and third place winners with the overall winner going to the Mid-South Fair talent competition in Memphis in September. Entry fee is $15, and contestants may register by calling (870) 522-3377 or (870) 595-1444 or e-mail gburns@hughes.net.

Music Program

Two popular local groups, Call to Stand and Over the Hill, will present music on stage beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Armbands for carnival rides will be on sale from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, and use of armbands will begin at 4 p.m. Monday and continue until the end of the picnic.

The popular Dooleys, formerly of Rector, will present a program of lively gospel music beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Beautiful chairs made and donated by The Wise Company will be auctioned at 6:30 p.m.

Recognition of veterans and the families of active duty soldiers will be followed by the announcement of the person who traveled the farthest to attend this year's picnic. All out-of-town guests attending the 2008 picnic are encouraged to sign a guest book located at the east edge of the stage.

Elvis tribute artist Michael Smith, a native of Rector, is sure to again stir up the crowd (especially the women) with his popular show at 7 p.m.

The annual Miss Rector pageant at 8 p.m. will feature local beauties between 16 and 21. Contestants must never have been married and never had children. Entry fee is $25 (all contestants will have a business sponsor). Those who wish to register may call Jade Mount at (870) 236-0587. Contestants must live in Rector or go to school in the Rector district. Formal dress is required.

A mandatory practice for the Miss Rector pageant will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday on stage at Memorial Park. Contestants must sign up before the practice. Contestants need not have a sponsor before registering.

$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 will go to Woodland Heights Cemetery.

T-shirts featuring the beautiful Rector mural now are on sale at Now & Then, Wise Company, Glen Sain Motor Sales, Rector Downtown Drug, Rector Community Center and the Clay County Democrat. Prices are $10 for children's sizes, $13 for adult S-XL, and $14 for adults XXL and XXXL.

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