Charleston busy getting ready for annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Two months ago, Claudia Arington never would have thought the dogwood trees and azaleas in Charleston would look the way they do now.

"Now, I truly think this year the stars of our Dogwood-Azalea Festival will be the azaleas," said the Charleston Chamber of Commerce director. "On Sunday when the sun was out I drove around town and the ones that are blooming are beautiful. They may be a little misshapen, but they are still pretty."

The 41st annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival, "Celebrating Beauty After the Storm," is set for today through Sunday.

"During the storm, I was just so worried that everything wouldn't turn out right," Arington said. "But a friend brought me a book of devotions and said God is a master gardener, and he has a plan for this. These trees haven't been pruned for a long time."

Arington said with a couple of warm, sunny days -- which are in the forecast for this week -- the blooms will be a spectacular sight for visitors from the area or across the nation who come to the annual festival. It's a weekend bus tours descend on the town and many people make their way back home for family or class reunions.

"It's a big weekend in Charleston," Arington said. "It's a real nice family weekend, and there's something for everyone. We try to keep prices down, and a lot of it is free."

New this year, St. Henry's School will sell boxed lunches Thursday and Friday. "The old Russell Hotel closed a few years ago, and that's where a lot of people, including the busses, ate," she said. "And it's a money-making project for [the school.]"

The home and garden shows, sponsored by the Historical Society, will be offered again this year.

"Three gardens, two home and gardens, plus the historical society will be featured this year," Arington said.

An event that grows bigger and bigger, the "Bloomin" Candlelight Review Show, will be performed for a third year Friday night at the Clara Newnam Auditorium.

Arington said the show features musicians from around the area in a multifaceted show. "Last year, one of the bus drivers said he hadn't heard talent that good since he was in Branson," she said.

The show coincides with the candlelight walk. "The streets are lined with 6,000 luminaries," Arington said. "It's like an old-fashioned night 60 years ago."

Another event that pulls several visitors are the three piano praise concerts Friday and Saturday at the First Baptist Church.

"They have a brand-new organ, eight pianos, 16 pianists and one organist," Arington said. "At some songs they all play at the same time and it is amazing."

Organizers also promise a great parade this year.

"We have a really good competition among several of the businesses in town for some really beautiful floats," said Rick Reed, parade chairman. "It really surprises some people, how nice the floats are."

Also set to be honored during the parade is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers "for all the fine work they did during the storm," Arington said. The group will serve as grand marshal and its float will be first in the lineup.

"We thought this would be a nice way to honor them," Arington said.

Reed said there are more horse-drawn carriages and wagons signed up to participate in the parade and the Charleston High School and Middle School marching bands will participate.

"Some people say this is the best parade they've seen in Southeast Missouri," he said. "And it gets better every year."