Red wagon contest may be packed with entries

The Community Arts Center has set an ambitious limit for this year’s Great American Red Wagon Contest: 75 entries for the contest that kicks off Saturday morning’s Great American Brass Band Festival Parade. Activities begin at 9:30 a.m., with required check-in, judging and line-up at Constitution Square State Historic Site. The parade begins at 11 a.m.Last year, the wagon-decorating contest drew 40 contestants, up from 31 in 2009, the first year the event was held. There is a sense that the bandwagon is rolling, so to speak, so organizers thought they better cap off the entries at 75 this year to keep things from getting out of hand.“To be in a parade is a pretty cool thing. I think it’s something the kids and parents really want to do,” said Jenny Jacoby, marketing director for the arts center. “We’re hoping to get close to 75 this year.”As the wagon contest has grown in entries, the entries themselves have grown increasingly elaborate, Jacoby said. One of the more memorable wagons from last year depicted the Mystery Machine from the “Scooby Doo” cartoon franchise and many feature custom add-ons to give contestants’ imagination more room to roam.“We kind of hope it’s the kid’s creative idea and the parents just help out in making it,” Jacoby said.Entree fee is $10 per wagon. Deadline for entries is June 8.This year’s best in show winner, “The WOW Wagon Award,” will receive a family night on the town, including a free limo ride from Premier Limousine, a $50 gift card to Mallard’s and four movie passes to Danville Cinemas 8. All other participants will receive special gifts from contributers Baskin Robbins and The Twisted Sifter.Other judged categories are:** “The Stars & Stripes Standout” for most patriotic design** “Best of the Brass Award” for best representation of the Brass Band spirit** “The Judges Choice Award” for most artistic, creative, and unusual designFor complete rules and to download the registration form, visit http://www.community artscenter.net/include/ docs/cac-redwagon2010-reg.pdf.