It is almost here. The week that the Pine Beetle Committee works toward all year.
We think that we have planned a great festival for 2024.
Serving as 2024 Grand Marshals will be Mr. and Mrs. Willie Gene Guin of Castor. Mr. Willie Jean and Miss Sue, were both born and raised in Castor where they have deep family roots. They established, and built the business known as Guin Machine Shop, which is a very successful business throughout the world. They raised a wonderful family that is very involved in their hometown and Bienville Parish. We are very honored to have them serve as 2024 Pine Beetle Festival Grand Marshals.
The festival will kick off on Oct. 28 with treasurer hunt clues that will run until someone finds all three treasures. There is a new treasure in the works so stay tuned for that information.
The “Ducks” will return again this year. Begin watching around the parish for your ducks to see if you win.
The annual gumbo cook off will be held Saturday, Oct. 26. It will be held at the Castor Community Center on Lodge Street in Castor. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m., and competition will start at 6 p.m. There is an $5 entry fee for every pot of gumbo entered. Gumbo must be brought to the competition in a crockpot. There are three categories which include chicken and sausage, seafood, and wild game. Rice will be provided. Bring your gumbo and join us for a time of friendly competition, fellowship, and fun and see if you take home the title of 2024 “Ruler of the Roux.”
On the same night, there will be our annual cake/pie and cupcake/cookie wars cook off. Entrants 14 years and older will submit a cake or pie for competition and entrants 13 and under will submit a dozen cookies or cupcakes for competition. There is also a $5 entry fee to enter desserts.
After the judging, people may pay $5 and get a cup of Gumbo, dessert, and a bottle of water for supper. Flyers on these events will be available soon with more information.
The 2024 annual Pine Beetle Festival Prayer Meeting will be held under the pavilion on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. Brother Darrell Clark of Abiding Faith in Castor will be our pastor for the evening.
We invite all churches to forgo their Wednesday evening service, and join us for a time of music, fellowship, and the word of God. You will definitely be blessed. There will be food trucks available that night if you want to eat there.
The 2024 annual Pine Beetle Festival karaoke competition will be Friday night, Nov. 1 under the pavilion. It will begin with registration at 6 p.m. and competition will begin at 6:30 p.m. There is a $10 entry fee. There are two categories of competition this year. The categories are 13 years old and under, and 14 years and up. Winner of each category splits the pot of entry fees for their category.
The community always has a good time, listening to some good music and great competition. Come enter and see if you have what it takes to be the winner.
Food trucks will be open on Friday night as well.
And finally, Saturday, Nov. 2, we will kick off the 2024 Pine Beetle Festival Parade at 10 a.m. Lineup for the parade will be at the ballfield next to First Baptist Church.
Booths will be lined on the tracks beginning at 8 a.m. and will stay until closing time. There are still booth spaces available.
Opening ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. immediately after the parade. To enter the parade, contact Tunie McCarthy at 544–2401.
There are several events planned throughout the day, including bingo, so stay tuned and don’t miss opening ceremonies to find out what your opportunities are for the day.
Ending our evening, we are pleased to bring back the evening entertainment. Beginning at 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., will be a concert — free to the public that will be brought to you by The Dirt Road Troubadours. This band has local ties and we think you will enjoy them very much.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact any member of the Pine Beetle Festival Committee.
Keep watching our Facebook page for announcements.
We hope to see you there.
Pine Beetle Festival Committee