Neches River Festival Capes & Crowns 5K Run 2022
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Julia Phelan, Natalie Simon and Gabi Angel -
Milly, Piper and David Moore -
Will and Mary Ellen Jenkins, Colby and Mary Virginia Crenshaw -
Neches River Fest Flyer
By Chad Cooper
Entertainment Editor
The Neches River Festival was first envisioned in the spring of 1947 and two years later, the first festival debuted in Beaumont in May of 1949. The first Royal Court was composed of 11 Duchesses, six Princesses and following the coronation, a street dance was held surrounding City Hall. The first Neches River Festival Regatta was held at the Beaumont City Docks with 18 races, visiting yachts and hundreds of spectators lining the docks. The first festival parade, held in 1950, included 28 commercial floats as well as a colorful array of bands. Over the past seven decades, the Neches River Festival has sought to emphasize Beaumont’s greatest natural resource, the Neches River and the area’s youth.
To jumpstart festival season, which ends April 9 with the Coronation Ball, the Neches River Festival and Mardi Gras Southeast Texas will once again partner up for the “Capes & Crowns 5K Run” on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Event Centre on the Great Lawn at 700 Crockett St. in downtown Beaumont.
The free kids’ 1K will begin at 8:30 a.m. followed by the 5K at 9 a.m. The run will be a timed race with overall and age group winners, and medals will be awarded to all finishers. Registration is $25 for those 18 and under, and $30 for 19 and up (Registration for the kids 1K is free). The fee includes a T-shirt, race bag, and ticket to enter and enjoy Mardi Gras Southeast Texas the day of the race, which is Feb. 26.
To register, view runsignup.com and then select “Find a Race.” Once selection type NRF “Capes & Crowns” 5K Run and you are all set.
Enjoy a 3.1-mile run or walk through beautiful downtown Beaumont, stay or come back and partake in all the activities, shopping, and live music that Mardi Gras SETX has to offer. Mardi Gras will open their gates at 11 a.m. and the Kids Zone will be open after the race. Sponsorship opportunities are also available at nechesriverfestival.com.
According to the NRF Publicity Chair Jenny Kaiser, the NRF first organized the 5K race in 2019 to go along with the 71st festival.
“Molly Moore (our NRF Executive Director) wanted to create a community event that would kick off our festival season and with her love of 5Ks, she knew a race would be the perfect choice,” said Kaiser.
Capes & Crowns 5K received its name from Karen Babineaux, who named it for the historical King and Queen’s capes and crowns worn during the Neches River Festival Coronation.
During the inaugural race, then NFR Social Chair Michele Smith, led the run with her husband and 2019 King, Mitchell Smith, who wore fun crowns and capes.
“We encourage everyone to dress up for the run,” added Kaiser. “The proceeds from the 5K fund our nine scholarships that are awarded to the winners at our Coronation on April 9.”
The festival keys in on high school seniors. In the last 15 years, the Neches River Festival has presented over 1,750 Princesses and has hosted approximately 700 visiting Duchesses and their families. When Escorts are included, over 5,000 young adults have been involved in Neches River Festival activities during this 15-year period. Because these young people are so important to the community, the Neches River Festival has generously funded two scholarships at Lamar University, open specifically to the local young men and women who participate in the festival each year. This scholarship is named in honor and memory of Otho Plummer, Jr., who played an integral part in both Lamar University and the Neches River Festival for many years. In addition, the Neches Festival Board Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that is awarded to multiple participants.
“Southeast Texas friends, it’s time to sign up for the Neches River Festival Capes and Crowns 5K,” said Capes & Crowns 5K Chair April Lindsay. “You can get your heart rate up while also supporting the NRF scholarship program. It’s a win win!
“The Neches River Festival is one of the oldest festivals in the state of Texas and we’ve teamed up with Mardi Gras Southeast Texas. This is going to be one amazing day here in Beaumont. Don’t miss out on the fun!”
For more information, view nechesriverfestival.com.
Chad Cooper is the Entertainment Editor. Contact cooper@theexaminer.com