Kevin Otis, administrator with the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the upcoming 8th Annual Masonic Homecoming Festival.
The two-day event kicks off Friday, October 12 at 9 a.m. with the 20th Annual “Chip Shots for Children” golf tournament at South Granville Country Club. Sponsored by the Masonic Home’s Alumni Association, the shotgun start tournament raises funds for the Home’s current youth.
Food preparation gets underway at 5 p.m. on Friday as the BBQ teams begin cooking “under the oaks.” Teams will compete in best BBQ categories and prepare food for the masses expected to attend events on Saturday.
New to the homecoming festivities this year, The Moonlighters Orchestra, an 11-piece brass and string ensemble, will begin playing at 6 p.m. on Friday evening. While BBQ teams are cooking, the orchestra will entertain with “everything from big band, to rock and roll and beach music.”
The fun continues on Saturday, October 13 with the annual homecoming parade, BBQ feast, live music, campus tours, games and activities for the entire family.
The popular scrap exchange sponsored by the South Granville Rotary Club will allow visitors to repurpose old items into something new. “They have stuff that most people would throw away. Instead of throwing it away, they bring it all together and give you ideas of how you can take scraps and turn them into something fun,” Otis said.
This year’s parade will have both a later start time and a different route than previous years. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. in front of the fire station on McClanahan St. and run down College St. to the front gates of the Masonic Home.
“Saturday is our big day,” said Otis. “School groups, Masonic groups and Shriners all come together. It’s a lot of fun for the whole family.”
Following the parade, the pit will open at noon for a $10 lunch of BBQ, fixings and a drink. Tickets can be purchased on-site.
At 12:30 p.m., Bryan Mayer, country music’s “biggest performer” at 6 foot, 8 inches tall will take the stage.
With questions or if you are interested in playing in the golf tournament or hosting a BBQ team, please call the Masonic Home at (919) 693-5111.