From The Files of The Seminole Producer

Final details are now being completed for the first of what could be a major annual attraction in Seminole. The first Seminole Spring Arts Festival will take the spotlight Friday evening and all-day Saturday with numerous displays and activities being staged throughout the festival.

The 400 Block of Main, in front of the Municipal Building, will be roped off for the festivities with arts, crafts, bands, dancers and many more entertainment features filling the festival program.

A large downtown Seminole merchants’ side-walk sale will be staged along with the festival Saturday.

The Cryslurs, a youth singing group from Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City, will perform at the Seminole Junior College auditorium at 8 p.m. Friday to open the festival.

Seminole County State Representative David Boren will serve as master-of-ceremonies.

Festival entertainment Saturday will include the Seminole Junior College band and chorus, Dee Massay School of Dance, the Seminole High School band and chorus, stage band, and girls ensemble.

The Seminole Guys and Dolls square-dance group will perform along with the Bohemian Beseda Folk Dancers of Prague and a group of Indian dancers. Several old-time fiddlers will also perform.

Professional and amateur art entries are being entered in the festival from all across the state, according to festival officials. Exhibit space is free unless artists want to sell their exhibits then $3 is being charged.

Following the Friday night performance of the Cryslurs, a group who performed here for the Chamber of Commerce banquet, festival activities on Saturday will start at 10 a.m. and will continue on a pre-planned schedule all day.

The art portion of the festival will consist of canvas and paper paintings, sculptures, and graphic drawings while the crafts will include just about everything-pottery, silver, ceramics, and others.

Cash prizes will be awarded in each division for both professional and amateur works and prizes will also be awarded for the best high school exhibit and best grade school exhibit.

In the event of rain the festival will be moved inside the Municipal Building and American Legion Buildings, officials noted.

The festival is sponsored by the Seminole Arts Council, the Cultural Betterment Committed of the Chamber of Commerce, and the local groups will be assisted by the Oklahoma Arts and Humanities Council. -oOo In the regional speech tournament, held this past weekend at Eastern State College in Wilburton, Seminole High School students won both first and second place in debate and placed in three individual events. Students placing in the regional tournament qualify for the state speech tournament, which will be held at Southwestern State College in Weatherford April 13-14.

First place in debate was won by Reggie Whitten- Randy Calhoun. Second place honors went to Elisa Moran-Greg Givens. These two Seminole teams were undefeated going into the final round. Whitten-Calhoun beat a Muskogee team in the quarter-finals and a team from Okmulgee in the semi-finals. Moran-Givens defeated Okmulgee in the quarter-final round and Muscogee in the semi-finals. The two Seminole teams will be among sixteen debate teams competing for the state championship and a trip to the national speech tournament.

The debate team of Neal Martin-Billy Sparks reached the quarter-final round before losing, on a close decision, to Muskogee. Seminole’s fourth team of Mark Reynolds-Gary Parrish did not place.

Jona Poplin placed third in women’s extemporaneous speaking. In men’s extemporaneous speaking, Neal Martin placed third and Reggie Whitten was fourth. The first four finishers in each event qualified for competition in the state tournament.

Reaching the finals, but not placing in the top four, were Greg Givens in standard oratory, Jan Poplin in original oratory, and Billy Sparks in men’s extemporaneous speaking. Ricky Jackson competed in standard oratory.

“I am extremely pleased at the showing of our debate teams and speech students,” said Andy Overmon, head of the Seminole high school speech department, “and I also want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Seminole whose donations made it possible for our students to compete in the tournament at Georgetown University. -oOo Slants – City Fire Chief Maurice Martin reporting that from Jan 1 to April 3 of last year a total of 2.29 inches of rain fell in Seminole… This year, according to the fire chief, from Jan. 1 to April 3, a total of 12.5 inches of rain has fallen here… Highway Patrolman Jim Hardin telling a funny joke… Bertha O’Dell wanting some information… Randy Hendryx talking about a car that got away… James “Keith” Fielding and Robby Young having to work late… Al Lovelady reporting to his doctor for a checkup… John John Cook at Seminole Municipal Hospital being teased… Luvenia McDaniel’s daughter from New Your ending a visit with her mother a few days ago.