Dateline: October 12, 2006

Shaws to lead Hedley's Cotton Festival parade

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Rhonda and Randy Shaw have been named this year’s Parade Marshals for the 55th annual Hedley Cotton Festival this weekend.

The Shaws have been actively involved in various community service projects and volunteer activities within the Hedley community for many years.

They have maintained the Rowe Cemetery. The couple takes care of the cemetery’s donations and also assists the public in locating headstones of family and friends. They have been responsible for the bake sale each year to raise money for the cemetery.

Randy Shaw is a volunteer fireman and has been involved with the department for many years. He works on grants and other opportunities for the city.

Rhonda Shaw is a member of the Donley County Chamber of Commerce and is active in various community service and volunteer activities. She served on the Hedley ISD school board for eight years, is a member of the Hedley Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and has been an avid supporter of the fire department for many years.

The Shaws have assisted in presenting a Fire Safety and Prevention program for the school children each year at the fire station. They have two children, Ben Shaw and LaRae Alexander.

Activities for this year’s Cotton Festival will begin Friday at 5 p.m. as the Lioness Club with a chili and stew supper. The club will sell tickets for a queen size hand-made quilt to be given away Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Lion’s Den.

Saturday’s activities begin at 10 a.m. with a tractor and car show, Rowe Cemetery bake sale, and National Honor Society cakewalk and jail. The Lion’s Club Barbecue begins at 11:30 a.m., and each barbecue ticket goes in the drawing for a bale of cotton at 6 p.m.

The Kiddie Parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by the Community Parade at 2 p.m. The Hedley School Reunion starts at 3 p.m.

The Hedley Senior Citizens will serve Frito pie, nachos, drinks, candy, and other concessions during the day. They are also raffling a shotgun, a Remington 870 Express donated by Reynolds Machine Shop. The drawing is at 6 p.m. at the Lions Den.

The Math and Science Clubs will hold Bingo at the Senior Citizens, and entertainment during the festival will be provided by KLSR-105.3. Craft booths are welcome, but food booths are not allowed.

The Hedley Methodist Church will hold a “Sing-A-Long” at 7:00 p.m. after the Cotton Festival. The church will serve refreshments and have good fellowship singing.