Grandfield Western Days is Flashback to the 1950's

Do you remember �cruising the drag�, drive-in theaters and Elvis �live� on the radio? Well those days are back during Grandfield�s annual Western Carnival Weekend Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6.

The Grandfield Chamber of Commerce invites everyone in the surrounding area to step back in time when life was simpler, cars were cooler and a young man from Memphis, Tennessee entered the music scene with �Heartbreak Hotel.� 

Events begin Friday at 6 p.m. with carnival games, a 50�s style car cruise, live Elvis concert and a free outdoor movie at 9:30 p.m. featuring the 1959 science fiction thriller �Plan 9 from Outer Space.� Don't forget to bring lawn chairs.

Saturday, the festivities begin at 6 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Senior Citizens Building followed by the traditional Pet contest at 9:30 a.m. at the main stage area on 2nd Street. At 10 a.m., hold on to your hat and grab a bucket of ice-cold water for the annual chili contest and Burning Border Salsa contest begins.  Winners are selected by you the public as you taste their blistering samples. At 1 p.m., be sure to line both sides of 2nd Street as the annual mile-long Western Day Parade features floats, camels and clowns. Prizes will be offered for both floats and decorated bicycles. Those interested in joining the parade or wanting to participate in the parade contests, please contact Wayne Spradlin for details.

Elvis fan should be on the lookout Friday at 7 p.m. as individuals for the "looking for Elvis' Contest begins. These lucky Elvis-t-be hound dogs are eligible to win movie tickets and original artwork by local artist Robin Davis. The winner who has the overall best appearance, impersonation and music performance (lip sync) will be voted by the public. Fans will be able to cast their $1 votes as many times as they like for their favorite Elvis throughout the weekend. The winner will be announced Saturday at 8 p.m. along with the Chili and Salsa contest winners. If you are interested in participating in the "Looking for Elvis Contest, the Chili Cookoff Contest or the Burning Border Salsa Contest, please contact Jeff Hagy at (580) 704-9378, 479-5419 or by email at [email protected] for details.

At 8 p.m. Johnny Newton and the Cimarron Boys will kickoff the traditional Street Dance downtown. Band donations are welcomed.

For additional information on the Western Weekend Carnival or if you would like to become a vendor, please visit www.grandfieldusa.com. All vendors are subject to a $10 rental to help raise funds for the Grandfield Chamber of Commerce. The Grandfield Chamber of Commerce helps fund local organizations, offers graduation scholarships, and hosts the annual Grandfield Veterans Day Banquet, the annual Easter Egg Hunt and other civic events. The Grandfield Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization.

LOOKING FOR ELVIS CONTEST

Come join the fun during Western Days to see if you can fill the blue suede shoes of the rock-n-roll king. Contestants with the best overall appearance, impersonation and music performance (lip sync) will be voted the winner of the "Looking for Elvis" contest by $1 votes from the public.

Winners will receive two free movie tickets and on original artwork piece by local artist Robin Davis.

CONTEST DETAILS:

1. The contest is open to anyone and everyone regardless of race, sex, age or national origin.
2. Contestants should emulate the 1950's style Elvis.
3. Contestants will be asked to excite the crowd with a brief Elvis impersonation during an introduction Friday at 7 p.m. (example: A "thank you, thank you very much and leg swing)
4. A lip sync performance to an early Elvis song will be held Saturday at 7 p.m.
5. Contestants must be of good spirit.
6. Contestants are welcome to solicit votes from the public during Western Day activities.
7. Winner of the "looking foe Elvis" Contest will be determined by the amount of $1 votes cast from 7 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2005 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2005 by the public. The "public" is defined as any one individual and/or group. The "public" may cast their votes as many times as they like.
8. The $1 votes are to assist the Grandfield Chamber of Commerce to raise funds to support community activities. The Grandfield Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization.
   

Western Day Queen Wanted

Any girl in the 4th through 9th grades may enter the contest. The girl receiving the most donation will be chosen as the Western Day Queen. The winner will be crowned at 9:15 p.m., Friday, August 5. She will receive a sash, tiara ad $100 in cash donated y the First State Bank of Grandfield. The Queen will ride in the Western Day Parade at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 6.

Interested individuals in the Queen Contest should
contact Lucy Gomez at 479-5618.

CONTEST DETAILS:

1. Each contestant will receive 100 contest tickets and an additional 100 tickets each time she turns in the prior 100 tickets compete with name and phone number of the donor.
2. Tickets must NOT be individually torn apart, but may be torn apart in strips of five.
3. The donor should receive the ticket that does not have the name and address on it as it is needed for the drawing.
4. To be considered as a princess, a contestant must receive at least 50 donations. Each person who donates $1 will have their tickets placed in the drawing for $200 in cash on Western Days. Drawing will be held at 7:45 p.m.,  Saturday, August 6, 2005. Winner of the drawing need not be present to win.
5. All tickets must be turned in by noon, Friday, August 5, 2005, to Lucy Gomez.