Cherokee Rose Festival IS BACK Saturday, May 7th – Mother’s Day Weekend!
The Cherokee Rose Festival full of family fun events is back again this year slated for Mother’s Day Weekend, Saturday, May 7th on the Gilmer Courthouse Square! This one-day all day event of contests, performances, live music in the afternoon and evening, along with literacy and agricultural awareness will have something for everyone.
Chair Alise Nolan, Co-Chairs Gilmer Chamber of Commerce – Gloria McLuckie and Credit Union of Texas – CUTX, Lindsey Hitt stated that 2020 event brought in more than 1,000 enthusiastic onlookers and participants who competed in favorites like the famous Turtle Race, Bubble Gum Blowing Contest, Hula Hoop, Jump Rope, Baby Crawling, Ice Cream, Cornhole, Paws for a Cause Dog Show, Cherokee Rose Little Prince and Princess Contest, and enjoyed the evening live music.
New this year is Texas Country Singer Cory Morrow who will headline the evening Cherokee Rose Festival Event sponsored by CUTX on their Credit Union of Texas Stage at 8:00 located off of the Titus Street junction to the Gilmer Square. Also sponsored by CUTX is the opening act Lee Mathis and The Brutally Handsome @ 6:00 pm. From 3:00 pm – 5:30 local artist will also sing on the stage. So, bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the slate of local artists in the afternoon & evening performers.
Footlights and Perfection Dance Studios will perform along. The Blue Bonnet Literary Club and Gilmer ISD teacher volunteers will read children’s books on the square to promote literacy.
Local FFA Chapters will participate in a Last Chance Plant Sale on square as well. Last Chance Plant Sales by local FFA Chapters are slated for set up on Highway 154 – Tyler Street portion of the downtown square sidewalk. An Art Walk by local artist is also in planning stages.
In its second year, the Turtle Race will have a Business Category where local companies can vie for bragging rights for the trophy for fastest turtle. All monies earned help sponsor the Cherokee Rose Festival’s philanthropies of literacy and agriculture awareness in Upshur County and efforts in local school districts.
The Cherokee Rose Festival encourages local businesses to showcase their shops on the downtown square for all those in attendance and area churches and community groups to set up tables to advertise their events. All non-profits can set up for free, but most register to get a booth space.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for all the Cherokee Rose Festival family fun contests and events.
Business Turtle competition, vendors and or craft vendors, Art Walk, or food truck opportunities are still available for a nominal price or free of charge for concession stand performances. Concession stands are on a first come – first served basis with set up time(s) of the one-day festival varying from all day until the end of the evening live music at 9pm or an end the day events at 5pm. Please contact Alise Nolan at thecherokeerosefestival@gmail.com – 903.841.2726 or Gloria McLuckie at 903.843.2413 or go to the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce to pick up vendor application forms or to receive them by email.
For more information about the Cherokee Rose Festival please follow us on Facebook and watch for online signups for all contests. We hope to see you there!