By Alexandra Pedrini

Maize Days was the topic of the August 12 Community Events committee meeting. The group spent over two hours hammering out details of the September 25 event.

The committee plans to bring a variety of events to the festival for adults and children of all ages. The first event of the day will be the Murphy Maize Days A-Maize-ing 5K Run at 8:15 a.m.



The largest part of the event will be the kids’ zone. Over 175,000 square feet will be designed for children and teens. Attractions will include face painting, pottery painting, a rock climbing wall, a video games truck and more for free or at a small fee.

“We’re going to have a rocking kid zone,” said committee member Barbra Dube.

The committee chose to not have a car show at this year’s event because the show would not be located in a convenient location in relation to the festival. Even with shuttles running back and forth between the potential locations of the show, this would not add to the festival other than adding something adults will be interest in going to, members said.

Instead of just cutting the car show, the committee decided to approach car dealerships to ask if they would display some of their new cars. This will still give adults a chance to look at cars, but the city will not be out $600 for fees and trophies.

Maize Days will also feature Karaoke Corn Idol, corn spitting and scarecrow decorating contests, and a corn cook-off with cash prizes awarded to winners.

The committee will be getting a bin from the North Texas Food Bank and will be accepting canned food donations before and during the event.
Various venders will be selling food and goods at the festival. The committee said they are still accepting applications for venders.

For festival-goers’ entertainment, bands Hard Country, Zane Williams and Eleven Hundred Springs will perform at 3 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. respectively.

For event times and information, visit www.murphymaizedays.com.

Pictured left to right:  Barbara Dube, Nancy Dinh, Keri Kirkwood, Debbie Ison and Margaret Whitt

The inaugural Hook ‘em for Heroes Kids Fishing Tournament will be Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Breckenridge Park in Richardson, 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Hook ‘em for Heroes is a community event that offers fun for kids of all ages! The lake will be stocked, so kids will have an easy time and have lots of fun fishing! Each age group will participate in the tournament with prizes for Biggest Fish and Most Fish Caught! There will also be lots of other fun with bounce houses, face painting, crafts, and other fun activities. Murphy kids are welcome to join in the FUN!

Want to participate for FREE? Just raise $50 for Heroes for Children, and your tournament entry fee is waived! Tournament is for kids 17 and under. $10 early registration fee by August 1st. $15 after August 1st.

Visit the website to register for event: www.hookemforheroes.com and for information on the Heroes For Children: www.heroesforchildren.org
 

6th Annual Vacation Photo Contest
The Murphy Messenger and wants to see…

• How far away a copy of the Murphy Messenger can travel with you this  summer.
• The most unusual or unique surroundings you and a copy of the Murphy Messenger can be photographed in.
• The funniest picture made with a copy of the Murphy Messenger. 

When you pack for your summer vacation, include a copy of the Murphy Messenger in your suitcase. A photo of the Murphy Messenger may be worth CASH!  There are 3 ways to win:

1- When you reach your vacation destination take a photo of the Murphy Messenger being held or read by you or someone else in front of an identifying landmark. Example: Mount Rushmore or a road sign that will pinpoint your location and will identify the distance you have traveled with the newspaper.  CASH PRIZE for the farthest distance the Murphy Messenger traveled:  $50

2- Visiting somewhere unusual? Show us how unique by sending us a photo of you and the Messenger in those surroundings. CASH PRIZE for the most unusual or unique surroundings the Murphy Messenger was photographed in:  $50

3- Perhaps you will find yourself in a whimsical or comical setting with a copy of the Messenger. Grab the camera! We’ll be selecting a winning photo from the funniest pictures sent to us with a copy of the Murphy Messenger in it. CASH PRIZE for the funniest photo: $50

CONTEST TIME PERIOD:  MAY 20th – AUGUST 31st
Entries will be printed in the Messenger as received through the contest period and on display at the Murphy UPS Store.

HOW TO SUBMIT PHOTO ENTRIES:   The preferred way of receiving your photo entry is electronically. You must include your full name, address, telephone number and email address along with your photo entry. Include a brief description of the photo you are submitting i.e. where you were, who is pictured, etc. If you are entering the “farthest distance” category – be sure to include how many miles your destination was from Murphy. 

TO QUALIFY:  You must be a resident or employed in the 75094 zip code.      
   No altered or superimposed photos will be accepted.
   Entries must be received no later than August 31, 2010.

VIA EMAIL:  marcia@murphymessenger.com
• Email photos in JPEG format attachments only. We are unable to use embedded photos sent in the body of  emails. Please do not reduce, crop, or alter the photos you send us. We need them sent in the highest resolution possible.

• Emails must have subject line referenced:   VACATION PHOTO ENTRY
• Include your name, address, phone number, email address and a description of your photo.
• All emailed entries will be confirmed when received.  Retain your confirmation.