2008 Arkansas Rice festival to kicks off Saturday

The 2008 Arkansas Rice Festival will kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Weiner.

Opening ceremonies will start at 10 a.m. on the Main Stage followed by a parade at 11 a.m.

Other activities on the Main Stage will include Weiner Dog contests at 1:15 p.m, dance contests, an auction at 4:30 p.m., "Smoke and Mirrors Magic Show at 6 p.m. and an appearance by Terry Jenkins as Elvis.

There will also be other activities around town including rice tasting at Catholic Hall, Wild Game lunch at First United Methodist, Cajun lunch at First Christian Church, rice threshing demonstrations across from the fire station, antique tractor show and a Guitar Hero Competition at Simmons First Bank tent by the Rice Festival building along with a kid's carnival and games all day.

The Riceland rice cook-off will begin at 10 a.m. at Weiner Christian Church. There are six divisions: hors d'oeuvres, breads, salads, vegetables, candies/Desserts and main dishes. The winner in each division will receive $100 and a gift, and the overall winner will receive $300 and a gift.

Recipes must be original and unpublished, and must include rice, rice cereal, or rice flour as a main ingredient. To enter, contestants must bring the prepared dish, and two copies of the recipe (typed or printed, with no name or identifying information) to the Weiner Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 321 West Second Street. Entries should be in place and registrations completed by 10 a.m.

The winners will be announced at the Arkansas Rice Festival Main Stage at 1 p.m. For more information, call Candice Hayes from 3:30 - 9 p.m. daily at 870-372-4015.

Registration for the 3rd annual Arkansas Rice Festival Bike Show and Bike Run will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Poinsett Library, 203 West Second Street. All bikers are invited to participate in the festival's parade. Parade line-up begins at 10 a.m. at the Weiner High School Gym, and the parade will commence at 11 a.m.

The Bike Show will begin following the parade, at the West Poinsett Library. Entry fee is $15 and each biker is eligible to participate in both the Bike Show and Run and will receive one hand of cards, and a meal at the Bike Show/Car Show Cookout. Additional meals for their passengers will cost $5.

At the Bike Show, bikers and the public will vote on their favorite bikes. Prizes will be awarded for Bikers' Choice, and People's Choice. The Bike Run will begin at 2:30 p.m. and the winner of the best hand will be awarded $250.

The winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. For more information on the Bike Show or Bike Run, call Steve at 870-680-2496.

The annual Arkansas Rice Festival Car Show is open to all cars. The line-up for the Festival Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the Weiner High School Gymnasium. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. The Car Show will begin following the parade.

Car Show participants and the public will vote on their favorite cars. Prizes will be awarded for Participants' Pick, and People's Choice. All car show participants will get a free meal at the Car Show/Bike Show cook-out. The winners of all contests will be announced at 5:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. For more information, call Max at

870-761-2814.