Yellow Ribbons Bear Warm Welcome To Oakland Festival
An array of the yellow ribbons and signs have been placed in Oakland to welcome people to the Yalo-Ribbon Festival.
OAKLAND – The yellow ribbons are tied to the ole oak trees and on businesses and homes welcoming visitors to Oakland’s 2nd Yalo-Ribbon Festival on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Oakland along Oak, Hickory, and Holly Streets. The festival is named for the oak trees that settlers found in the area more than 175 years ago and the popular song that a yellow ribbon means welcome as the Town of Oakland will celebrate 175 years of incorporation.
This year’s festival features include a special nod to Oakland’s railroad history with t-shirt designs with locomotion and a panel discussion on history and memories of trains and the railroad running through the center of town.
Live entertainment kicks off at noon with Muddy Alexander, a blazing singer and song writer from Taylor, who will mix it up with a blend of blues, R&B, and classic soul.
Sponsors have requested a few “railroad and train” songs like “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “City of New Orleans.”
The Giant Cake Walk starts at 1:30 p.m. The town’s bakers have come together and will have homemade baked goods while local talent Jimmy “Ping Pong” Paris will entertain and moderate the Cake Walk.
“Kids and adults declared this a great favorite from last year’s event,” said festival chair Luanne Taylor Brooks. “We can’t wait for the fun! There is just something about a cake walk that brings out the kid in all of us.”
Brooks said the Festival also features food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and a kids’ zone with a bounce house, face painting, and games. There is still room for a few more vendors. Contact Brooks at 662-688-3800 for details.
The Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. T-Shirts and Cake Walk tickets will be sold on site.
