The Friends of Dean Park Organization is counting the days until its 1st Annual HarvestFest which is Saturday, October 4, 2008, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Dean Park (Center Ridge Community), Hwy. 15 South, Louisville, MS.

Members of the Friends of Dean Park spent this past Saturday grooming the park and fine tuning plans for the various events which will consist of: HarvestFest Parade thru the park with the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcyclists of Louisville and Jackson, MS; an opening ceremony after the parade with greetings from the Friends of Dean Park, county supervisors and Dean Park Commissioners; a drawing from raffle tickets that will continue to be sold throughout the festival with tickets $1. each or a book of 6 for $5. (1st Prize - $100.), (2nd - $50.), (3rd - $25.); Mr. and Miss. Dean Park Pageant (Two age categories: 6-12 years and 13-18 years). There will be DJ Entertainment and line dancing; food and merchandise vendors ($35.); and information booths for non profits ($30.); candidates' booths ($30.) There is still space available.

There will be games: sack race, bean bag toss, water balloon toss, horse shoe and cake walk with prizes for the winner of each game and a Hoop Contest for children and adults. There will be an entry fee of $1 for most games.

Chadena Jones daughter of the late Renee Jones and Eddie Jones, is a 13 year old member of Friends of Dean Park. She recently completed a story mural on the dugout of the park, which includes a poem, that she started several months ago. Jones recently returned to Louisville from Brunswick, MA to live with her grandmother, Claudell Weaver, and to complete her 9th grade education at Louisville High School.

"Jones is a talented young artist who has enjoyed completing this project," stated a press release from the organizers.

There are other murals in the park done by artist Humdah J. Salahadyn, of Atlanta, GA.

"Residents will miss a treat if they do not come out to see the improvements in the park and to enjoy food, fun and games of the festival," stated a press release from the organizers.

All funds from the HarvestFest will be used for making improvements to Dean Park, which is the only county park in Winston County.

For more information, please contact: Elmetra Patterson or Eddie Littleton - (662) 779-0169; Annie P. Hudson (vendors) - (662) 773-6189; Betsy Ann Eichelberger - (662) 773-3238.