FRIDAY, APRIL 16 PRE-FESTIVAL EVENT

Little Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant Practice

5:00 P.M.

Sponsored by the American Business Women's Association. Practice for contestants, ages 3-16. Located at Southeastern Technical Institute on Highway 280. For more information, please contact Terri Overstreet at (912) 537-8701.

Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant Practice

7:00 P.M.

Sponsored by the American Business Women's Association. Practice for contestants, ages 16-22. Located at Southeastern Technical Institute on Highway 280. For more information, please contact Terri Overstreet at (912) 537-8701.

20th Annual Bud Light Onion Invitation Softball Tournament

7:00 P.M.

Sponsored by Coleman Sales, Inc. Entry fee: $120 per team, men; $110 per team, women. Located at the Ed Smith Sports Complex between Highway 280 East and Highway 292 East. Mens/Womens Open ASA Class B equivalent or less. Team trophies awarded to the first four places. Individual trophies for 1st and 2nd place teams. For more information, please contact Tommy Sasser at (912) 537-7913.
 

SATURDAY, APRIL 17 PRE-FESTIVAL EVENT

Little Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant

10:00 A.M.

Sponsored by the American Business Women's Association. Admission price: $5 per person. Categories include Miss Onion Seed, ages 3-5; Miss Onion Sprout, ages 6-9; Miss Spring Onion, ages 10-12; Junior Miss Vidalia Onion, ages 13-16. Located at Southeastern Technical Institute on Highway 280. For more information, please contact Terri Overstreet at (912) 537-8701.

Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant

7:00 P.M.

Sponsored by the American Business Women's Association. Admission price; $6 per person. Maximum of 25 contestants between ages 16-22, unmarried, childless, and must live within 50 miles of Vidalia. Contest will include sportswear, interview, and evening gown competition. Winner receives $1,000. Located at Southeastern Technical Institute on Highway 280. For more information, please contact Terri Overstreet at (912) 537-8701.

20th Annual Bud Light Onion Invitation Softball Tournament

9:00 A.M.

Sponsored by Coleman Sales, Inc.
 

TUESDAY, APRIL 27 PRE-FESTIVAL EVENT

Vidalia Onion Cookoff - Somethin’ Smells Good in the Kitchen

6:30 P.M. Judging.

7:00 P.M. Public Tasting

Sponsored by the Vidalia Rotary Club. Pre-registration required. Entry deadline is Friday, April 23. Located at the Vidalia Community Center. Thrill your tastebuds and test your culinary skills with creative recipes prepared using Vidalia Onions. Categories of judging: Appetizers, Side Dish, Main Dish, and Miscellaneous. $5.00 entry fee per dish. Multiple entries invited. Entry forms available at Brown’s Jewelry in Vidalia. For more information, please contact Jennifer Underwood at (912) 537-4616, or Sam Polk at (912) 537-9213.
 

THURSDAY, APRIL 29

Carnival

6:00 P.M. Gate Opens

Sponsored by the Vidalia Lions Club. Located at the New Kiwanis Fairgrounds on Airport Road off Highway 280 East. The world's finest riding devices and attractions, provided by Geren Rides. Fun for the entire family! For more information, please contact Jim Reid at (912) 537-1505.

Children's Parade

6:00 P.M. Staging and Judging.

6:30 P.M. Parade Begins.

7:00 P.M. Awards Presentations.

Sponsored by Vidalia Communications, Northland Cable Television, and The Advance-Progress. Located at Southeastern Technical Institute on Highway 280. Cash prizes for best costumes. Free T-shirts to first 100 children to pre-register. This year's themes are "What does the Y2K Bug look like?" and "What will clothes look like 100 years from now?". Registration forms available at local schools and at the Vidalia Toombs County Library. For more information, please contact Melanie Raiford at (912) 537-1062.

Opening Ceremonies and Fireworks Display

7:30 P.M. Opening Ceremonies.

8:30 P.M. Fireworks Begin.

Sponsored by Montgomery County Bank and Lark Builder’s, Inc. One of the largest and most dazzling displays of fireworks in Southeast Georgia. Entertainment provided by local talent and the Jazz Band from Brewton Parker College. Recreation events will be provided for kids of all ages. This is a family event, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets and come join the fun. Located at Southeastern Technical Institute on Highway 280. For more information, please contact Barry Dotson at (912) 538-3141 or (912) 538-3100 or at [email protected].
 

FRIDAY, APRIL 30

Carnival

6:00 P.M. Gate Opens

Sponsored by the Vidalia Lions Club.

Vidalia Onion Cooking School

6:30 P.M.

Sponsored by Winn Dixie. Culinary experts will demonstrate recipes using the world famous Vidalia Onion. Register for exciting door prizes. Located at Southeastern Technical Institute. For more information, please contact Don Selph at (912) 537-8109.

Street Dance

7:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.

Sponsored by Darby Bank & Trust Company, TUMI, Inc., DOT Foods, and Coca Cola. Located in Historic Downtown Vidalia, covering all of Church, Jackson, Meadows, & South Main Streets. This year's ever popular Street Dance will feature "The Headliners", country entertainment from "The Southern Touch Band", children's rides, food to tempt any appetite, music, entertainment, and other fun and surprises for the entire family. For vendor information, please call Melanie Taylor at (912) 537-8033. For band information, please contact Chari Lothridge at (912) 537-7499.

Vidalia Onion I.P.R.A. Rodeo

8:00 P.M.

Sponsored by and the Rocky Creek Saddle Club. Admission price: ages 5 & under, free; 6-12, $5; 13 & older, $10. Sanctioned by the International Pro Rodeo Association, and presenting professional stock and contestants. Located at the new Rocky Creek Saddle Club Arena, just 4.5 miles south of Lyons, Ga. on U.S. Highway 1. For more information, please contact C.K. Davis at (912) 526-4851.
 

SATURDAY, MAY 1

Vidalia Onion Run

7:50 A.M. - Two Mile Fun Run and Walk

8:30 A.M. - 10K Onion Run & Walk

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Vidalia. Awards in each category of the 10K Run, and for the top male and female finishers of the Two Mile Fun Run. T-shirts to all entrants. $5,000 in cash prizes awarded. Pre-registration entry fee - $9; Day of race - $15; Students pre-registration - $6. All activities located at the First Baptist Church in Downtown Vidalia, at the intersection of First and Church Streets. For more information, please contact Larry Atkins at (912) 583-2265, or Debbie Kittrell at (912) 537-0545.

2nd Annual Vidalia Onion Festival Kids "Caught on Fishing" Rodeo and Exposition

10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Sponsored by Southeastern Technical Institute, Brantley Marine & Gun, and Wal-Mart of Vidalia. Fishing exhibits, fun, games, and prizes for "Kids" of all ages. Fishing seminars by the Pros for the young and old alike. Plenty of exhibits of the latest and greatest fishing boats, equipment, and gear. Kids from 8-14 can compete for prizes in a casting and fishing competition. Pre-registration required. Located at Southeastern Technical Institute on Highway 280. For more information, please contact David Yarbrough at (912) 538-3119.

Downtown Spotlight and Classic Car and Motorcycle Show

9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Sponsored by the Downtown Vidalia Association. Ladies bring your hubbies and Men bring your wives to Historic Downtown Vidalia for a day of fun and lots of specialty shopping. Awards will be presented at 12:00 for the Classic Car and Motorcycle Show, but if you’re not into wheels, there is always plenty to keep you busy as you stroll the streets and visit the numerous specialty shops available. Come early, come late, but don’t miss this opportunity to visit the Heart of Vidalia-Downtown. Located at Vidalia’s Historic Downtown District and Northeast Main Street. For more information, please contact Melanie Taylor at (912) 537-8033 or Ellis Collins at (912) 538-1116.

Carnival

10:00 A.M. Gate Opens

Sponsored by the Vidalia Lions Club.

Arts and Crafts Festival

10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Sponsored by the Vidalia Woman's Club and the Vidalia Lions Club. Located at Airport Road off Highway 280 East. Admission Fee - $3 for Adults; $1 for Children. Features artists and crafters from throughout Southeastern States. *Lots of good food!* Something for everyone! Celebrities and special events. For more information, please contact Ruth Brice at (912) 537-3610, or Jim Reid at (912) 537-1505.

Air Show

10:00 A.M. Gate Opens

Sponsored by Meadows Regional Medical Center, Inc., Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., and Coleman Sales, Inc. Featuring acts and thrills never seen in this area before! Russian Thunder, Shockwave, Zorn, Northern Lights, the Cincinnati Warbirds Show Team, U.S. National Aerobatic Champion winner Patty Wagstaff, the Comfort Inn of Vidalia Turbine Jet Team, the Bud Light Micro Jets sponsored by Coleman Sales, Inc., and Otto, The Helicopter Clown. Otto will give rides at prices of $25 for adults and $20 for children 14 & under, and the Cincinnati Warbirds will give rides for $150. Tickets $5 at the gate; free for children 3 & under. Advance tickets can be purchased for $4 at Vidalia City Hall. Showtimes are 12:30 and 3:00. Numerous static displays: military aircraft, tanks, Cobra Helicopter, the Coast Guard, and Lifestar to name a few. Lots of rides, novelty vendors, and good food! Located at the Vidalia Municipal Airport. For more information, please contact Marsha Temples at (912) 538-7000.

World Famous Onion Eating Contest

3:00 P.M.

Sponsored by the Vidalia Lions Club. Age categories: 1-11, 12-15, 16 & older. Prizes will be awarded in each category. Located at the Arts & Crafts Festival. For more information, please contact Jim Reid at (912) 537-1505.

Glitz N Gritz Cabaret (LIFE-SIZED PUPPET SHOW)

 4:30 P.M.

Sponsored by Darby Supply Company, Inc. Located at the Vidalia Community Center. A little song, a little dance, a lotta laughs, and some romance, the PUPPET PEOPLE variety show has it all! This live, cabaret-style performance is a showcase of some outrageous, one-of-a-kind LIFE-SIZED puppets as they burst to life belting out songs from Broadway to Blues, while telling you like it is with a wink and a smile! This show is meant to be enjoyed by adults while entertaining the whole family. So delight in the lively music as it is interpreted with wit and whimsy, as only puppets can!

Vidalia Onion I.P.R.A. Rodeo

8:00 P.M.

Sponsored by the Rocky Creek Saddle Club.
 

SUNDAY, MAY 2

Arts and Crafts Festival

12:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Sponsored by the Vidalia Woman's Club and the Vidalia Lions Club.

Air Show

12:00 P.M. Gate Opens

Sponsored by Meadows Regional Medical Center, Inc., Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., and Coleman Sales, Inc. Showtime is 2:00 P.M., with static displays throughout the day.

Carnival

12:00 P.M. Gate Opens

Sponsored by the Vidalia Lions Club.