OAKLAND — The Oakland Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Town of Oakland and the Oakland Beautification Committee, will attempt to set a world record on Saturday, April 16, for the largest number of participants in a cakewalk. The cakewalk is part of a full day of activities planned.
The Yalo-Ribbon Festival brings vendors, food trucks, a large Easter egg hunt, an Easter Bonnet Parade and Competition, as well as the 350-person cakewalk to the town.
“During our recent listening session with area citizens, it was suggested that Oakland add yellow ribbons to oak trees in a play off the famous song. And since Oakland is in Yalobusha County, we decided to name our festival The Yalo-Ribbon,” said event chairperson Stephanie Patterson.
Those interested in participating in the cakewalk and helping set a world record may register in several ways — on Facebook at Oakland Area Chamber of Commerce; onsite on Friday afternoon, April 15, from 2-4 p.m. at the Oakland Senior Complex; or on Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Oakland Walking Track. Participants may also go to Eventbrite and search World Record Cakewalk/Yalo-Ribbon Festival.
The cakewalk starts promptly at 1 p.m. and will consist of five separate walks. Participants may purchase tickets at $5 per walk or $25 for all five rounds. There will be at least five winners of cakes per round. In the last round, the final number drawn will win a cake and a cash prize.
Vendors may also register online through Eventbrite at the Facebook page, by searching Eventbrite for World Record Cakewalk/Yalo-Ribbon Festival or by requesting an application to exhibit at OaklandAreaChamber@gmail.com.
Children are invited to participate in the Easter egg hunt, which begins at 11 am. No registration is required. Members of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department will help hide nearly 500 Easter eggs.
The Easter Bonnet Parade and Competition will kick off at noon. Categories include Most Beautiful Bonnet, Best Child’s Bonnet, Most Creative Bonnet, Best Hand-Crafted Bonnet, Weirdest Bonnet, and Most Debonair (male hat).
For more information, contact OaklandAreaChamber@gmail.com.
