Local Roundup - page 10

Mark your calendars and get ready for our highly anticipated Fall Job Fair on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, hosted at the Shahan Event Center. From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., this event offers a fantastic opportunity for job seekers to explore full-time and part-time employment opportunities with local employers and connect with industry leaders. Admission is free and open to the public.

This Job Fair is the perfect chance to network with potential employers, whether seeking a new career path or looking to grow in your current field. A wide range of industries will be represented, offering attendees various career options. Whether you’re a recent graduate, transitioning careers, or simply exploring new opportunities, this event is designed to help you take the next step in your professional journey.

Need help preparing? Don’t miss our Lifesavers! Resume Workshop on Wednesday, October 2,c2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Ron Lewis Building, Room 131. This workshop will provide tips and personalized assistance to enhance your resume and prepare you to make the best impression at the Job Fair. To attend, please register online here.

Event Details:

Job Fair

• Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Location: Shahan Events Center
• Entry: Free and open to the public

Lifesavers! Resume Workshop

• Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2024
• Time: 10:00 a.m.
• Location: Ron Lewis Building, Room 131
• Registration: lsco.libcal.com/event/13193129

Don’t miss this chance to discover your next great opportunity and connect with local employers.

The United Way of Orange County announced it will host free digital skills training October 15 and 16 at Lamar State College Orange.  The classes are intended for learners that are new to using a computer and want to build confidence while staying safe online. Topics include: using web browsers, creating passwords that are hard to guess, using search engines, navigating a mobile device and so much more. Workshops will be taught by digital literacy experts with the national nonprofit Connected Nation (CN).

“The United Way of Orange County’s mission is to unite people and resources to improve the quality of life and build a stronger Orange County,” said Maureen McAllister, President & CEO for United Way of Orange County. “Empowering a wide range of community members with essential digital skills is vital in today’s digital landscape. We encourage adults from all backgrounds and ages to seize these opportunities to acquire new digital skills or enhance existing ones.”

Registration is preferred, but not required to attend; participants are encouraged to bring their friends and family and a bilingual trainer will be on site. See below for workshop dates and times:

Tuesday, October 15

• Computer Basics – 1:00 p.m.
• Internet Basics – 2:00 p.m.
• Email Basics – 3:00 p.m.
• Open Lab Workshop – 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Register for class here.

Wednesday, October 16

• Mobile Device Basics – 9:00 a.m.
• Internet Safety – 10:00 a.m.
• Open Lab Workshop – 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Register for class here.

The United Way of Orange County is partnering with Connected Nation (CN), a national nonprofit committed to bridging the Digital Divide, to host digital skills training.

“Connected Nation is proud to partner with the United Way of Orange County,” said Heather Gate, Executive Vice President, Digital Inclusion for Connected Nation. “Our goal is to significantly enhance digital literacy in the region. We have designed these classes with that aim in mind, and we are eager to provide our materials to those who wish to pursue further education after the workshops have concluded.”

Institutions such as schools, places of worship, community centers, local governments, and businesses are encouraged to spread the word to ensure the success of digital skills training.

Connected Nation celebrated 20 years of service in 2021. The national nonprofit’s mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.

Whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend getaway, or just looking for something exciting to do locally, the Explore Orange Convention & Visitors Bureau invites you to experience the 4th Annual Orangetober Festival! This festive celebration will take place October 4–6, 2024, at the Riverside Pavilion, located at 708 Simmons Drive in Orange.

The Orangetober Festival promises fun for the entire family with a packed schedule of activities and events. Explore the whimsical Pumpkin Village featuring over 10,000 pumpkins, enjoy a diverse vendor market, and don’t miss out on the Gumbo Cook-off, Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest, Cornhole Tournament, and a movie night screening of “Coco” on Friday, October 4th. The festival starts with the Big Pumpkin Run 5K and continues with food vendors, a craft beer booth, frozen sangria from Free State Cellars, and live music all weekend.

Entertainment Lineup:

• Thursday, October 3
  • 6:30 PM Live Music by Kings of Neon
• Friday, October 4
  • 7:00 PM: Movie Night – “Coco”
• Saturday, October 5
  • 12:00 PM: Cornhole Tournament
  • 2:00 PM: Gumbo Cook-off
  • 5:30 PM: Live Music by PaperChase
  • 7:15 PM: Live Music by Drew Parker
  • 9:00 PM: Headline Performance by Wade Bowen
• Sunday, October 6
  • 2:00 PM: Pumpkin Scramble – Eventgoers can take home pumpkins for FREE!

Festival Details:

• Dates: October 4 – 6, 2024
• Location: Riverside Pavilion, 708 Simmons Drive, Orange, TX 77630
• Hours:
  • Friday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Admission and FAQs:

• Admission: FREE for all events, including concerts!
• Parking: Free
• Concerts: Free
• Pumpkin Scramble: Starts Sunday at 2:00 PM – Bring your own wagons or carts to take home as many pumpkins as you’d like!
• No Pets, Coolers, or Vehicles on Festival Grounds – Lawn chairs are welcome.

Food Vendors include:

• Ice Cream Shack, LLC
• Little Cypress Lions
• Chuck Wagon
• Funnel’d
• Bobz Smokehouse
• Cajunxion
• Miss B’s Takeout
• Miss B’s Sno-Cones
• Rudy’s Ka-Bobs
• Carter’s Country Cookin’
• Home Plate
• Mice Ice
• Carnival Sneaux
• Wing Junkiez
• Big Daddy’s
• Bobby’s Smokehouse

Come out for a GOURD time and FALL in love with Orange, Texas, at this festive fall celebration! Whether you’re here for the live music, fun activities, or to snag some pumpkins, the Orangetober Festival is the perfect weekend adventure for the entire family.

For more information, contact the Explore Orange Convention & Visitors Bureau at 409-883-1011, or check out their Facebook page.

The City of Orange is excited to announce the return of the Together Thursdays free outdoor concert series, with a special performance by the energetic Kings of Neon. Set to take the stage on Thursday, October 3rd, at 6:30 p.m., this event will kick off the highly anticipated Orangetober Festival weekend in style.

Thanks to a partnership between Dow and the United Way of Orange County, the community is invited to enjoy this FREE concert at the Orange Riverside Pavilion at 708 Simmons Drive. The evening promises to be filled with music, food, and fun for all ages.

Event Highlights:

• Live Performance by Kings of Neon
• Food Trucks
• Outdoor Games
• Cooler and Lawn Chairs Welcome (No pets allowed)

Bring your friends and family, grab your coolers and lawn chairs, and get ready for a night of music and entertainment at one of Orange’s most scenic venues. Together Thursdays is the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of the Orangetober Festival, so come join us for an unforgettable evening!

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Orange Riverside Pavilion, 708 Simmons Drive, Orange, TX

Note: Pets are not allowed at this event.

For more information, please visit their Facebook page.

The City of Orange is pleased to announce the allocation of $267,500 in Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) fund grants for Fiscal Year 2025. In accordance with Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code, a portion of the revenue collected from the hotel occupancy tax is used to promote tourism and support the convention and hotel industry in Orange. The funds, distributed through the Convention and Visitors Bureau, are awarded to local organizations that play a vital role in attracting visitors to the city.

According to City Mayor Larry Spears, “This year our city has been hit with a 2.5 million dollar loss, between losing International Paper, Invista, and monthly sales revenue. We’ve asked each department to cut their budget 10 percent. Understand the HOT tax is a separate fund — it does not operate from the general fund. With that being said, we have a healthy (HOT tax) reserve and I’m proposing some adjustments because we want to bring people in to our city so they can spend their money here.”

The proposed total amount of $683,462, was increased to $815,462.

The Orange City Council awarded HOT fund grants to the following organizations for their efforts in enhancing tourism:

• Orange Lions Club Carnival – Security $5000
• Orange Lions Club Carnival $2500
• Gate City Guild #42 $5000
• Friends of the Orange Depot $5000
• Gulf Coast Cajun Chapter $5000
• Dragon Lady Airboat Services $3000
• GOACC Mardi Gras Parade $7000
• GOACC Bassmaster Tournament $60,000
• GOACC Festival $7,000
• Southeast Texas Elite Volleyball $5000
• Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts $60,000
• Tribe United Volleyball $30,000
• Heritage House of Orange County $30,000
• Krewe De Onyx $25,000
• Adventures 2000 Plus $2000
• Step Forward Treatment Center-Women’s Empowerment $5,000
• Step Forward Treatment Center-Golf Tournament $5,000
• Orange CVB Budget $547,962

These grants will support a wide variety of events and services, from cultural festivals to sporting events, all of which are designed to draw visitors to Orange and boost the local economy. The City of Orange extends its gratitude to these wonderful organizations for their continued efforts in promoting tourism and showcasing all that Orange has to offer.

For more information about tourism initiatives or upcoming events in the city, please contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at (409) 883-1010.