Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
The 36th Annual Down Home Days celebration is just around the corner, and this year promises to have something for everyone. The theme for this year's Down Home Days will be “Let Freedom Ring.” The celebration will kick-off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 at Four Freedoms Park with the annual Pet Contest. Other activities on Thursday will be the announcement of the Cupcake Creations Bake-off Contest and the Madison County Little Prince and Little Princess Photo Contest winners. There will be music provided by the students of the Madison Creative Arts Academy and the Madison Boys Choir.
On Friday, April 21, the fun cranks back up at 5:45 p.m. when the winners of the “Citizen of the Year” and the “Grandparent of the Year Essay Contest” are announced. Then students from Becky's Dance Steps Studio will present a dance recital on Pinckney Street on the south side of the courthouse. An old-fashioned cake walk is also planned. The evening will be capped off by a street dance featuring music from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Pinckney Street will be blocked off from Shelby Ave. to Range Ave., beginning at 5 p.m.
The Grand Finale of Down Home Days takes place on Saturday, April 22, beginning with a 5k run, hosted by the North Florida Community College's Colin P. Kelly Fitness Center. Vendor booths will open at 9 a.m. The Down Home Days Parade gets underway at 10 a.m. The parade route will begin behind O'Neal's Buffet and continue along US Hwy. 90 to Range Ave., then turn south on Range and continue on to Farmer's Furniture. There will be music at the Gazebo in Four Freedoms Park, beginning at 10:45 a.m. and continuing until 1:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Bailey Barefoot and Mike Humphrey, The Alan Andros Band, and LifeSong. Other activities on Saturday include the Antique & Classic Car Show, the Frog Hop Contest, the Freestyle Connection BMX cycling event, and more.
Little Prince/Little Princess photo contest
Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
As part of this year's Down Home Days celebration, Royal Restorations and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce will present the Madison County Little Prince/Little Princess Photo Contest. Entry forms may be picked up at Royal Restorations, located at 633 Colin Kelly Hwy., in Madison, or at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, located at 316 SW Pinckney St., in Madison. Deliver a 4” x 6” (or larger) photo of the child along with the $10 entry fee to either Royal Restorations or the Madison County Chamber of Commerce no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, April 14. Late entries will not be accepted. Enter up to two photos in one or more categories (multiple entries from the same family will be accepted). Submission of photos grants all rights to the Madison County Chamber of Commerce to reprint photos in future publications as they wish.
Photos will be judged on appearance, charisma, expression, image concept and setting, and that “special” something. The four categories are: newborns (birth through six months), babies (seven months through 1 year), toddlers (13 months through 24 months), and toddlers (25 months through 48 months). One boy and one girl will be selected from each category. Winners will receive a trophy, an award ribbon, $25 cash, a $25 gift certificate, and more. The winners will be announced on Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. at the Main Street Playhouse and Event Center.
Use of amateur photographs is preferred. If professional photographs are used, written authorization from the photographer must be obtained. All judges' decisions are final.
Essay contest to find Grandparent of the Year
Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
All area fourth and fifth graders have the chance to tell everyone why their grandmother or grandfather is special and have him/her honored during this year's Down Home Days celebration.
To enter, write an essay of 150 words or less telling why your grandparent(s) should be this year's “Grandparent of the Year.” The essay may be typed or handwritten, but must be the original work of the student. Only one entry per student will be accepted. Entries should be brought to the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, located at 316 SW Pinckney St., in Madison, or to A Main Street Realty, located at 186 SW Range Ave., in Madison. Submission deadline is Tuesday, April 19, at 5 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted. The winner will be announced and prizes awarded on Friday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m.
Bake-off contest coming as part of Down Home Days
Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Area bakers will have an opportunity to show off their skills and possibly win some valuable prizes in the Cupcake Creations Bake-off Contest as part of the 36th Annual Down Home Days celebration. The winners will be announced at the Main Street Playhouse and Event Center, located at 172 SW Range Ave., on Thursday, April 20.
Anyone wishing to enter the contest should pick up an entry form either at the Corner Grill, located at 144 SW Horry Ave., in Madison, or at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, located at 316 SW Pinckney St., in Madison. Submit your completed entry along with your $10 entry fee to the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Bring your cupcakes (please supply 12 cupcakes for review) and the recipe to either the Corner Grill or the Madison County Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 20. The $10 entry fee must be paid when the cupcakes are dropped off. Late entries will not be accepted. All entrants must provide a copy of the recipe that may be included in a Chamber of Commerce cookbook to be published at a later date. Cupcakes will be judged on creative presentation, combination of flavors, and overall texture and taste.
The first-place winner will receive a $75+ gift certificate from local merchants. The second-place winner will receive a $50+ gift certificate from local merchants. The third-place winner will receive a $25+ gift certificate from local merchants.