The annual St. Francis picnic, to benefit the Hall and Gravel Hill cemeteries, will be held Saturday, July 19, in that community. The annual event is scheduled to kick off at 9:45 a.m. with the welcome address by Randy Dalton, youth pastor of the First General Baptist Church in Rector.

The annual baby contest will get underway at 10 a.m. for boys and girls ages birth through 12 months, and will feature casual wear only. This year's queen's crown was donated by Piggott Florist and Merle Norman, while the trophies were donated by Lewis Motor Company.

At 11 a.m. the baby contest for boys and girls ages 13 through 23 months will be held. Casual wear is required and trophies will be awarded to the top three boys and the top three girls. The queen's crown was donated by State Rep. Mike Patterson and the trophies were donated by Fry Equipment Company.

The toddler contest will be held at 1 p.m. for little girls ages two to four years old, and casual wear will be required. The queen's trophy has been donated by Clay County Circuit Clerk Janet Luff-Kilbreath and the trophies were donated by The Wise Company.

At 2 p.m. there will be entertainment on the main stage featuring Brittany Mann.

At 2:30 p.m. the Little Miss St. Francis pageant will be held for girls ages five to eight years old. The queen's crown was donated by Piggott Realty, the queen's trophy was donated by Paula O. Blackwell of Piggott State Bank and the queen's $50 savings bond was donated by Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home. Trophies for the alternates are being provided by Chuck, Sherry and Brian Schulte of Sherry's Hair Port and Front Street Pizza; Clay County Air Conditioning and Refrigeration of St. Francis; Clay County Sheriff and Collector Ronnie Cole and by Clay County Judge Gary Howell and family.

At 4 p.m. the Junior Miss St. Francis pageant will be held for girls ages 9-12 years old, and the attire will be Sunday dress. The queen's crown was donated by Paul O. Blackwell of Piggott State Bank, while the queen's trophy was donated by Best Realty and Bill and Penny Veal. A $50 savings bond for the queen was donated by Pumpkin' Hollow and Darrell and Ellen Dalton, while the alternate's trophies were donated by Morris Farm Center of St. Francis, The Wise Company, Clay County Air Conditioning and Refrigeration of St. Francis and The Piggott Times.

From around 4:45 until 6 p.m. there will be entertainment by Patrick Patterson, Cole Thomas and Emma Gookin, followed by the annual auction of donated items by Frank Orr.

At 8 p.m. the Miss St. Francis pageant will be held for young ladies ages 13-18. This year the queen's crown was donated by Clay County Abstract and Title Ins. of Piggott, Rector and Corning and the queen's trophy was donated by Ed and Pat Morris. The trophies for the alternates were donated by Clay County Circuit Clerk Janet Luff-Kilbreath, Clay County Treasurer Carolyn Morrisett, Clay County Clerk Sharon Williams and Clay County Assessor Tracy Gurley and Kevin's Tractor Repair.

Immediately following the Miss St. Francis pageant, the drawings will be held for savings bonds, and persons must be present to win.

This year's St. Francis picnic will also include the usual games, rides and fun and the chicken dinner will be served at both 11 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. in the air-conditioned dining room and kitchen. The menu this year features both fried chicken, and chicken and dumplings, and all the trimmings.

All proceeds from the annual St. Francis picnic benefit the Hall and Gravel Hill cemeteries.