Dogwood-Azalea Festival in bloom for 40th anniversary

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Activity is blooming in this town about 45 miles south of Cape Girardeau.

The city celebrates the milestone 40th annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival today through Sunday. The festival falls at the peak of the blooming season for the dogwood trees and azalea bushes that blanket the small town purportedly as a result of the first garden club started in the 1950s.

This year's festival, with the theme "40 Years and Still Blooming," won't be much different from years before. The chamber of commerce didn't add anything new; the festival is just bigger.

"Our events are so tried and true and everyone looks forward to them that we don't really change anything," said Claudia Arington, director of the chamber.

The events include home and garden tours, a parade, a piano concert and much more.

The Baptist churches sponsor the piano concert, which has featured as many as 16 pianists playing at the First Baptist Church. This year only 12 are playing.

Visitors can follow the pink arrows down the streets for the 6-mile Dogwood-Azalea Trail that goes past yard after yard of blooming dogwoods and azaleas. Visitors can drive, ride a bus or walk the trail, which will be lit with candles Saturday night for the candlelight tour.

"We have over 6,000 luminaries lighting the street," Arington said.

On Friday night there is a "talent show" featuring musical groups, but, Arington said, "it really shouldn't be called a talent show. It should be called a concert."

The acts from Friday night also play along the trail for Saturday night's candlelight tour. The bluegrass, gospel and contemporary bands will play on street corners and front porches.

There's a fish fry, a barbecue, "something for everyone," Arington said.

"From a car show to an antique train to swine races ... there's all kind of stuff going on," she said.