QULIN — Beauty pageants, multiple contests, a car show and parade are a few of the many events scheduled for attendees of the 32nd annual Qulin Homecoming on Friday and Saturday.
Qulin Homecoming director Carlee Decker explained this year that several new additions to the festival include a car show and a dunking booth.
“I am super excited about the festival this year,” she said. “The weather is going to cool off and I am excited to see everyone.”
The Homecoming celebration will officially kick off on Friday for the Qulin Homecoming Beauty Pageant with a girl’s division competition beginning at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $30 per contestant and the categories include a Baby Miss Homecoming (0-11 months), Tiny Miss Homecoming (12-24 months), Toddler Miss Homecoming (2-4 years), Little Miss Homecoming (5-7 years), Petite Miss Homecoming (8-11 years) and Miss Qulin Homecoming (12-15 years). The contest is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. for the first category of competition (youngest to oldest) at Qulin Middle School.
“The winners will be able to join the Homecoming parade on Saturday if they choose to do so,” Decker said.
As far as the other events scheduled for Saturday’s festival celebration, the parade line-up (Fourth Street) will begin at 9:30 a.m. The opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. with an invocation by Alan Leutert and the pledge of allegiance by the pre-kindergarten class at Qulin Elementary. The national anthem will be led by Daisey Lyod, a Twin Rivers High School student.
The parade is scheduled to promptly begin at 10:45 a.m. Saturday and features the grand marshal of the festival, Barbara Lancaster-Nail.
“We choose each grand marshal based on a lifetime resident within Qulin,” Decker said during a phone interview. “We select people who have lived here for many years and have dedicated their time to help those in need.”
The Qulin Lions Club Fried Chicken Dinner will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years old and under. Another event scheduled for after the parade is the dunking booth and car show, both additions to the event this year.
“The dunking booth will include the middle school and the elementary school principals,” Decker said.
Throughout the day, the Qulin Cemetery Silent Auction will also be held.
The band Rising Sun will offer a live performance. The band, originally from Odessa, Missouri, offers a 70s and 80s classic rock vibe with a combination of pop and blues. Lead vocals and keyboard are by Kim Moore, lead vocals by Amy Legate, bass guitar by Cameron Stubblefield, drums by Eric Kolkmeyer and guitar/vocals by Scott Brown.
“The children’s games are sponsored by Gayle Short and the bounce houses are free to the public,” Decker said. “But several carnival games do cost, such as the dunking booth is $1 or $5.”
Decker added that all proceeds go back toward the Qulin Homecoming celebration.
Qulin Mayor Justin Parks added he hoped the community would join the 32nd year of the celebration where “we all come together.”