Celebrating the beauty of spring with the Orleans Dogwood Festival
Lovingly referenced as the front porch of Orange County, with the slogan to “Come Sit Awhile”, the small, quaint town of Orleans founded in 1815 is one where you’ll feel that hometown charm each and every time you visit.
For the past 52 years, the Orleans community has celebrated the blooming of the dogwood trees with a festival the last full week of April. This year’s 53rd annual Dogwood Festival will begin April 22 and run through April 29.
For the past 52 years, the Orleans community has celebrated the blooming of the dogwood trees with a festival the last full week of April. This year’s 53rd annual Dogwood Festival will begin April 22 and run through April 29.
In the early 1960s, the Village Improvement Society, under the direction of resident Elizabeth “Bill” Wheeler, began planting the first of the town’s trademark dogwood trees.
Then in 1965, the town celebrated its Sesquicentennial. Following the Sesquicentennial, local leaders needed to find a new focus of boosting local moral and the economy. Kate Noblitt envisioned an annual festival based on the blooming of the dogwoods. Her efforts led to the annual festival and Orleans being officially proclaimed as “Indiana’s Dogwood Capital” by then Governor Edgar Whitcomb in 1970.
Of course, the Dogwood Festival has grown throughout the past 50 plus years. With a full week and 40 events, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
So, each spring, Orleans residents are joined by former residents and other area citizens in marking the Dogwood Festival. The fickle Southern Indiana spring weather sometimes plays havoc with events. But every year since 1968 there has been a festival. •
For more information about the 2023 Orleans Dogwood Festival visit http://www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com
Story by Robert Henderson
Photos by Gretchen Nelson Photography
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