Plans near complete for annual Piggott Fourth of July picnic

Members of the Piggott Cemetery Association show off the big check from this year's Fourth of July cash drawing. Three of the $5,000 prizes will be awarded, and you don't have to be present to win. Pictured with the check are from left--Laura Cole, Mona Scott, Gary Moffitt, Sharon Tillman and Gloria Crittenden. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

The 82nd edition of the Piggott Fourth of July Picnic promises to be a good one, and with the holiday falling on a Saturday this year organizers expect a large crowd. The theme for this year's picnic, and the annual parade Saturday morning, is "United We Stand" and serving as Grand Marshall will be Cemetery Association president Royce Williams.

This year's picnic will actually kick-off Friday evening with two pageants on the beauty revue stand, and armband night on the midway. Tickets also will be on sale for the three $5,000 prizes to be given away Saturday night, and barbecue will be on sale at the log cabin.

A complete listing of all the pageants, along with a comprehensive schedule of the day's events, may be found elsewhere in this edition of The Piggott Times.

Line-up for the parade will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, with the parade set to roll at 9. The procession will then make its way to the picnic grounds, with the opening ceremonies scheduled for around 10 a.m.

The welcoming address will be provided by Piggott Mayor Gerald Morris, followed by political speeches and live entertainment. The famous fried chicken dinners also will be served in the kitchen at the picnic grounds, and will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day.

The annual Miss Piggott pageant will be held at 8 p.m., followed by live entertainment until the fireworks display at 10. Immediately following the fireworks there will be three drawings for $5,000 prizes and persons do not have to be present to win.

Books of tickets for the cash drawing are currently on sale at the courthouse in Piggott, at Piggott City Hall, The Treasure Chest, Cox Lumber Company, Sue's Flowers and Gifts, Piggott Auto and Farm Supply, Williams Nursery and The Piggott Times office. Tickets also will be on sale Friday evening and all day Saturday at the picnic grounds.

All proceeds from the annual Piggott Fourth of July Picnic benefit the Piggott Cemetery Association and the upkeep of the local cemetery.