Calling all talent to the Pow Wow
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

In his preparation for the October 13 Pow Wow, Jeff Smiley has released an estimate of how he believes the day will proceed. Included among the festivities and the circus is a new addition seeing the light of day after being rained out last year: a talent show.

Smiley, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce chairman, said the talent show will begin at 12 pm.

"There will be a $10 entry fee for contestants, but the talent contest will be free to watch," Smiley said.

The contestants will be judged by three people from the Chandler area and will compete for first, second and third place ribbons. Smiley said gift certificates and other prizes from area businesses will also be awarded to particularly talented individuals.

The show will last from 12 to 1:30-2 pm and will be hosted by the Brownsboro High School Golden Girls drill team, Smiley added.

Julie Crawford, treasurer for the Golden Girls, said there were plans for a talent show at the 2006 Pow Wow, but rainfall caused it to be cancelled.

"Quite a few people had signed up," Crawford said.

Smiley said in order to participate in the contest, those interested must complete an entry form available from Smiley's Insurance Agency, the Brownsboro High School office, Y's Hometown Foods, all of which are in Brownsboro, or the Chandler Chamber of Commerce office. Pre-registration is required and the deadline is October 10.

Smiley also unveiled his estimate of how Pow Wow day would progress.

"We'll begin the day with a parade," Smiley commented. "They'll line up at 8 am and begin at 10. The theme is `A salute to our troops.'"

The parade will march toward Winchester park where the Pow Wow will begin at around 11. The Stars of Texas Karaoke and DJ services will kick off the entertainment and begin with a welcoming address, followed by the BHS drum line and a performance by the Golden Girls. The DJ services will have music and make announcements through the day.

The business vendors also open at 11 am.

"We've got about 40 booths right now," Smiley said. "I'm hoping for 50 before the Pow Wow."

In addition, the kids' corral area will be available at that time, for a $5 fee for the day. Smiley noted that though there would be pony and elephant rides for $2 and $4 each, respectively, there would be no petting zoo, as the circus just couldn't bring the zoo to town.

"Times will be posted for the animal rides because they will be for a limited time," Smiley said.

Pizza Pro in Brownsboro offers $1 discount coupons for the pony rides, Smiley added. The coupons come with the pizza.

There will still be an inflatable slide, moonwalk, and other games, and the children will be supervised by the Golden Girls.

At 2 pm the kids' corral closes and the `Lil Britches' Rodeo will begin and go on until 4 pm. Once this is over, the circus midway opens, along with the circus concession stands.

"Kids can come in and see the big top and the animals," Smiley said.

The Pow Wow will end with two separate circus shows, one at 5 and the other at 7:30 pm.