Community Concerns with Shannon
Our next question comes from Bri Marie from Dresden. Bri asked, “Why can’t Dresden get bigger ride selections for the carnival at the Iris Festival instead of small rides for small kids? Bri said that there isn’t much for the big kids to do and they need more activities.
Bri I contacted members of the Iris Festival Committee and Jennifer Branscum said that “We won’t be having a carnival this year. Carnivals are getting to be few and far between and extremely expensive.” She did, however, send a “tentative” schedule for the event and I am going to list some of the activities that are tentatively scheduled that the older kids might be interested in.
On Saturday, April 29 at 4 pm there will be a pet show at Wilson Park. The event is free of charge and any and all pets are welcome. There are a variety of categories and certificates for winners are given out for each category. After the show, opening ceremonies start, which include free food, fireworks and live music.
On Monday, May 1 there will be a “Taste of Dresden” from 5-7 pm. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased at City Hall. There will be a choral concert put on by Dresden Elementary at 7 pm that same day at Dresden Elementary School.
On Tuesday, May 2, there will be “Fun Bingo” for Elementary and Middle School students. The event is free, and prizes are given out. Both are held at the school with Elementary starting at 6 pm and Middle starting at 7 pm.
On Wednesday, May 3 there will be a baking contest at the McWherter Civic Center from 8-10 am. Judging will begin at 10 am. There is no entry fee.
On Thursday, May 4 there will be a community wide gospel singing featuring the Perry’s. This will start at 7 pm and is located at Dresden First Baptist Church.
On Friday May 5 there is a Horticulture Show at the McWherter Civic Center from 7-9:30 am with judging at 9:45 am. There is no entry fee. On the same day at 5 pm there will be a music fest at Dresden Farmer’s Market with food trucks and will feature music by Dresden High School Pop Band and Kimberlie Helton Band. This will be followed by a car cruise in at 6 pm on court square.
On Saturday, May 6 there is a 5K race, 2-mile walk, 1 mile kids fun run and .25-mile tot run. Races begin at the corner of Main and Poplar Streets at 7:30 am. This will be followed by the parade at 10 am which will begin at the Civic Center.
Aside from the Iris Festival activities, if you are wanting more activities for teens to do, please come to the city board meetings and relay your concerns to the board of mayor and alderman. Each board meeting is the first Monday of every month at 6 pm at the Civic Center.
We hope to be able to answer a question every week from a member of the community. Just send us your questions by Monday every week. Email questions to smerrell1@murraystate.edu, text questions to 731-819-4497, stop by the office, give us a call at 731-587-3144 and ask for Shannon or message us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. We look forward to serving the community better by answering the concerns you may have surrounding any issues in Weakley County.
