Local Roundup - page 14

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:

• 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.

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 Stark Museum of Art is excited to welcome children ages 5 and under, along with their grown-ups, to its SMA Playdate program—a free monthly series designed to inspire young creativity and engage families in art-focused fun. This unique experience will be held on the second Friday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, running from September through May.

Each SMA Playdate session will feature hands-on activities that emphasize building fine motor skills through art-making, music, movement, imaginative play, storytelling, and more. Each month, participants will discover a new art-inspired story and interactive activity to help children and their families connect with the world of art in an engaging and educational way.

Upcoming SMA Playdate Sessions:

• September 13, 2024
• October 11, 2024
• November 8, 2024
• December 13, 2024
• January 10, 2025
• February 14, 2025
• March 14, 2025
• April 11, 2025
• May 9, 2025

Families are encouraged to dress for mess—while aprons are available, little artists might encounter splashes, spills, and splatters during the creative activities.

Discover an exciting opportunity to foster your child’s imagination and creativity in a welcoming, art-inspired environment. SMA Playdate promises to be a joyful and educational experience that allows young children to explore art alongside their caregivers in a playful, hands-on setting.

For more information, please contact the Stark Museum of Art at (409) 886-2787 or visit their website.

The W.H. Stark House is excited to invite the community to a fun and educational Family Day on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is free of charge and offers a unique opportunity to experience what life was like for seven-year-old “Lutcher” Stark growing up in the historic W.H. Stark House. Families are encouraged to participate in a variety of interactive activities spread throughout the Carriage House, the Grounds, and inside the Stark House itself.

Event Highlights

• The W.H. Stark House: Guests of all ages can enjoy a digital, self-guided scavenger hunt through the house’s first and second floors, exploring its rich history and unique architecture.
• Carriage House Activities:
  • A special toddler play area to keep the youngest visitors entertained
  • Craft stations inspired by the beautiful stained glass windows of The W.H. Stark House
  • Lincoln Logs building area for creative play
  • A history sensory board for interactive learning
  • Storytime sessions hosted by the Heritage House of Orange County
• The Grounds:
  • Engaging activity stations in collaboration with the Tyrrell Historical Library, Beaumont Children’s Museum, and McFaddin-Ward House
  • A watercolor activity station presented by the Stark Museum of Art
  • Classic lawn games, including bubbles, chalk drawing, and hopscotch, for outdoor fun

Family Day at The W.H. Stark House promises an engaging mix of historical education and playful activities suitable for all ages. Whether you are exploring the house’s historical elements, participating in creative crafts, or enjoying outdoor games, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

For more info, visit their Facebook page.

The Orange Public Library, located at 220 5th Street in Orange, is thrilled to announce the return of its beloved Storytime program, beginning on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, and continuing every Wednesday morning through December 18, 2024. This enriching program offers a fantastic opportunity for children and their caregivers to engage in early literacy activities, discover the joys of reading, and foster a lifelong love of learning.

Early Literacy (10:15 – 10:45 am):
Specifically designed for children aged 3 to 5, the Preschool Storytime sessions provide 30 minutes of captivating books, lively songs, engaging finger puppet plays, and more. These sessions aim to nurture young minds through interactive storytelling and fun-filled activities that build foundational literacy skills.

Lapsit (11:00 – 11:20 am):
Tailored for infants to 2-year-olds and their caregivers, the Lapsit program offers 20 minutes of developmentally appropriate activities, including books, bounces, songs, rhymes, and finger puppet plays. With a focus on repetition and rhythm, these sessions support early brain development and bonding between parent and child.

Interactive Playtime (11:25 – 11:55 am):
Following Lapsit, caregivers and children are invited to participate in Interactive Playtime. This 30-minute session encourages socialization, cooperative play, and exploration of the library’s vast resources. It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to make new friends and for caregivers to connect with other families in the community.

Don’t miss this chance to create lasting memories with your little ones while exploring the many resources the Orange Public Library has to offer. Join us every Wednesday morning for an educational and fun-filled experience!

For more information, visit their Facebook page or call 409-883-1086

The Bridge City/Orangefield Rotary Club held its much-anticipated Annual Guy’s Game Night: Fins, Feathers & Fooore on Thursday night at the Bridge City Community Center. The event drew a full house and featured bingo, a live auction, raffle prizes, and a delicious meal, all supporting the Rotary Club’s various community projects and scholarships.

Club President Charlee Fitzgerald expressed gratitude for the community’s support, saying, “On behalf of the Rotary Club of Bridge City – Orangefield, we would like to thank everyone who made our Annual Guy’s Game Night: Fins, Feathers & Fooore event so successful! What a fun night it was raising funds for our ongoing programs and scholarships!”

Congratulations to Game Winners:

• Game 1: Richard Harmon
• Game 2: Gabe Lawley
• Game 3: Cody Foote
• Game 4: Matt Lafler
• Game 5: Blake Hanson
• Game 6: Steven Bruce
• Game 7: Christian Mayberry
• Game 8: Michael Perez
• Game 9: Mike Barber
• Game 10: John Dubose

The Rotary Club of Bridge City—Orangefield is dedicated to serving the local community through various initiatives, including educational scholarships and community improvement projects. The funds raised during this event will go a long way toward supporting these efforts.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Bridge City—Orangefield and its upcoming events and projects, please visit its Facebook page or website.