NOTE: The schedule below was for the 2011 festival.

Printable version of the entire 2011 Iris Festival schedule:
[Brochure in Word format] [Brochure in PDF format]

Cemetery Walk              5:00 pm (Rain Date May 8)
Sunset Cemetery ------------------------------------------- FREE
Spend an afternoon with us celebrating the lives of people interred at Sunset Cemetery. Theme:  "It's All in a Name:  Interesting Names, Interesting Life Stories"           
Rain date: May 8, 2011
Chairpersons:   Bobby Goode, 364-5391, Tommy Moore, 364-2915
Event Sponsor:  Bowlin Funeral Home

Prayer Breakfast                                            7:00 am
Dresden Elementary School -----------------  Tickets: $5.00
Begin the week in fellowship at Dresden Elementary School.
Tickets available at Dresden First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, Dresden City Hall, & First State Bank
Chairperson:  Mike Pentecost
Sponsored by: Breakfast and program provided by First United Methodist Church.

Tasting Party                                      5:00 – 8:00 pm
Dresden Elks Lodge ---------------------------Tickets: $7.00, available at the door
Come enjoy the fine cooking and popular dishes of the area’s best cooks at Dresden Elks Lodge.
Chairperson: Winnie Moore, 364-2077, 234-5641
Event Sponsor:  Weakley County Municipal Electric System

Iris Festival Fun Bingo                      7:00 – 8:30 pm
Dresden Athletic Center (Old Gym) -- Admission: FREE
One of the most popular events of the week, Bingo is the place to be!  The game itself is suspenseful and exciting, and the fun is topped by the great prizes you may win!
Chairperson:  Suzie Newbill, 364-2219 & Robb Newbill
Event Sponsor:  Weakley County Chamber of Commerce                        

Children’s Bingo                                 6:00 – 7:00 pm
(Children must be picked up by 7:00 pm)
Dresden Elementary School  ----------- Admission: FREE
Games for children up to age 12. Fun prizes will be awarded! 
Chairperson:  Principal Mike Laughrey, 364-3401
Sponsored by: Dresden Elementary PTO

Carnival begins and runs through Saturday
Wilson Street, off of court square

Baking Contest                                  8:00 – 10:00 am
McWherter Civic Center -----------------  Entry Fee: FREE
Think you’re a good cook?  Enter your prize –winning recipe and let the judges decide.
Judging begins at 10:00 a.m.
Chairperson:   Gail Rogers, 364-5678
Event Sponsor:  Askew-Hargroves

Senior Citizen Luncheon                         12:00 noon
McWherter Civic Center  ---------------- Admission: FREE
Enjoy free potluck and door prizes at McWherter Civic Center.
Chairperson: Gail Rogers, 364-5678
Event Sponsor:  Back Pain Relief Clinic

Community Wide Gospel Singing               7:00 pm
Dresden First Baptist Church
Enjoy community fellowship at Dresden First Baptist Church, featuring the “chart-topping contemporary Christian band” – The Daniel Doss Band of Nashville, TN. 
 Chairperson: Tommy Moore, 364-2915

Iris Festival Golf  Tournament               lunch 11:30 

Persimmon Hills Golf Course ----------tee off 12:30
3-Person Scramble
 *Advance Registration required.   $120 per team
 Forms are available at Dresden Insurance Agency and First State Bank.  Cash prizes will be awarded and lunch will be provided.  Chairperson: David Campbell, 364-3429 (H), 364-3117 (W)
Event Sponsor:  Frontier Communications

Community Health Fair          9:00 am – 12:00 noon
West Side of Court Square ------------------------------FREE
 Local health care providers will be providing free health  screenings and resource education.
 Chairperson: Tony Harrison, 973-3755 or 364-5812
 Event Sponsor:  Dresden Medical Clinic

Fairy Tale Feast                                  4:00 – 5:30 pm
Dresden Elementary School ------------ Admission: FREE
Enjoy refreshments and visit with your favorite fairytale characters joining us to celebrate the week of fun!
Chairpersons: Becky McCulley, 225-8473  
Event Sponsor:  Larry Jolley Realty                                    

Quilt & Needlework Registration & Entries       10:00 am – 5:00 pm
McWherter Civic Center                
 Advanced Registration:   Take your quilts to McWherter Civic Center on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from   
 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. for entry.
 Chairperson:  Gail Rogers, 364-5678
 Event Sponsor:  National Tobacco, LLC

Car In the Courthouse             5:00 pm
On Thursday, May 5th at 5:00 p.m. Legens Hot Rod will drive a car up on the lawn of the courthouse.  They will dissemble and then reassemble the car inside the courthouse.  They will have this feat completed in at least 24 hours.  The car will be able to be cranked and will be on display on the first floor of the courthouse the following day. 
Chairperson: Tommy Moore, 364-2915

Corner Café                                  11:00 am – 1:00 pm
First United Methodist Church -------------  Tickets: $7.00
Enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by the United Methodist Women.
Chairperson:   Jan Everett, 364-5293 (home), 364-2419 (church)   
Event Sponsor:  Barker Bros. Waste Management     

Ken-Ten Iris Assoc. Show: AIS Affiliate                        7:00 am -5:00 pm 
First Baptist Church Family Life Center --------- FREE
Entries taken: 7:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Judging: 9:45 a.m.
Show Time: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Iris Sale 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Chairpersons: Carol Ann Carney, 931-232-5295, Alison Harris 

Tennessee Iris Festival Horticulture Show                        
First Baptist Church Family Life Center --------- FREE
Entries: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Judging: 9:45 a.m.  
Public Viewing Time: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Entries and awards must be picked up by 5:00 p.m.
Chairpersons: Jason Kemp, 364-3053, Pat Phillips, 364-5639, Stacey Lockhart, 225-3833, Shirley Smethwick, 822-4912

Arts & Crafts Marketplace      6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Court Square                                                   FREE admission
Booth rental: $30.00         (10’ x 10’ space)
Set-up begins at 4:00 pm; Tables available;
Applications here
Arts, crafts, and fine merchandise vendors
Chairperson: Toya Bell, 364-2270
Event Sponsor:  Alexander Bynum – Wendell Alexander Realty


Music Fest                                        7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Court Square Lawn                                                           FREE
Performances by a variety of talented locals and a free picnic provided on the court square lawn.
Rain Location: Dresden Athletic Center (Old Gym)
*Advance registration for performers required.
Music Chairperson: Dick Hutcherson, 364-5259
Picnic Chairperson: Amy Lewellen, 364-3193
Event Sponsors:  BancorpSouth and Dresden Cable

Cruise into town in your classic car to showcase it on the north side of the court square during this event. Antique tractors are welcome also.

Quilt and Needlework Show 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
McWherter Civic Center
See event under Thursday, May 6th for more information

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5K Run, 2 Mile Walk, 1 Mile Kids Fun Run, and .25 Mile Tot Run  - Corner of Main & Poplar Streets
Corner of Main & Poplar Streets
5K Race: $12.00 in advance and $15.00 day of race
*5K starts at 7:30 a.m.
2 Mile Walk: $10.00
*Walk starts at 7:35 a.m.
1 Mile Fun Run for children - $8.00 day of race
*Fun Run Registration at 7:40 a.m.; Race starts at 8:00 a.m.
Chairperson:   Todd Maxey, 514-6401
Event Sponsor:  MTD Products, Inc.

Arts & Crafts Marketplace     9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Court Square                                                     FREE
Booth rental: $30.00, 10’ x 10’ space
Tables will be available.
Chairperson: Toya Bell, 364-2270

Tennessee Iris Festival Parade                 10:00 a.m.
All roads lead to Dresden! Gather on Morrow and Main Streets to see the parade of dignitaries, royalties, and special guests in celebration of the 32nd Annual Tennessee Iris Festival.
Advance registration required by May 4, 2011
Chairperson: Penny Gallimore, 364-3131
Event Sponsor:  First State Bank


Iris Festival Luncheon                             12:00 noon                 
Gather on Carey lawn at the home of Governor Ned Ray McWherter to close the festival week and to recognize and thank those who served to make it a success.
Rain location: Dresden Elementary School; Open to the public; Advance Tickets (required): $10.00; Tickets are available at Dresden City Hall and First State Bank.
Chairperson: Jake Bynum & Angie Hewett, 364-4005
Event Sponsors:  Primrose Oil and Mayor & Mrs. Danny Forrester, and Stacey W. Stoker

Pet Show                                                     1:00 p.m.
Bring your pets and show off their beauty and talent in a variety of categories. Lewellen Practice Field (DMS).
There will be several categories for all of your pets!
Chairperson: Keely Nanney, 571-4033
Event Sponsor:  Northwest TN Veterinary Services

Tractor Pull                                                 1:00 p.m.
Richie & Reggie’s BBQ, Highway 22, Dresden
Several categories including:
Horse & Drawn (early 1800-1900), Hit & Miss Engines,
Antique Hand Tools, Oldest Restored Tractor
$20 entry fee
Chairperson:  Ricky McHaney, 364-6041
Event Sponsor:  Mathis Battery

REGISTRATION OF ENTRIES
Advance registration is required for many events.  Obtain entry forms from Forms page.

TICKETS
Tickets for events can be ordered by mail.  Please send a check in the exact amount made out to the Tennessee Iris Festival and a self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 801 / Dresden, TN / 38225 or contact the event chairperson.