By T0m Kelly
Editor and Publisher

If you've been waiting to attend the Wolf Creek Festival at Sikes, now is the time to plan, according to Mickey and Beth Parker, the newly elected leaders of the 25-year-old community celebration.

Mrs. Parker said "He's elected as president, and that means I get to do a lot of work to help."

The Wolf Creek Festival is scheduled for the last Saturday in September, the 24th, and the effort will be to rejuvenate interest in attendance with a variety of new events emphasizing the Sikes community spirit. Graduates of the now-consolidated Sikes High School, and former residents of the community, are invited to return for a day of remembrance and entertainment, say Mr. and Mrs. Parker.

The Wolf Creek Guild was first organized in 1979, to focus on history of the Sikes community, recalls Nell Parker, one of the early leaders of the movement. After a couple of years of work and planning, the first Wolf Creek Festival was held in 1981, and enjoyed a run of several years with large attendance and a variety of events. Miss Parker displayed a large scrapbook with photographs, newspaper clippings, and other mementoes of Festivals of years past, proving that it was truly a notable event. Members of graduating classes from the Sikes school used the occasion to stage their own reunions, and members of old-time Sikes families drifted back home from nearby cities and states where they had migrated.

Miss Parker is a fixture in the Sikes community, having operated the Village Store for 20 years, after spending an earlier 20 years employed by Magneto Ignition Service in Shreveport. She retired in 1992, and is interested in reviving interest in the Wolf Creek Festival which she saw rise to success in its early years.

However, with closure of the Sikes school, consolidating it with the Dodson School District in 1990, interest in class reunions slowly diminished, and the younger generations of the old families who had left the community in search of jobs and careers stopped finding time for reunions and other festivals of remembrance--a phenomenon quite familiar to families and small communities throughout the Piney Woods and across the region.

Officers of the Guild have resolved to focus on making the Wolf Creek event attractive not only to individuals and families with Sikes connections, but to the general public as well. Current officers include Mickey Parker president; Ben Brandon, vice president; Reba Berry, secretary; Mary Lou Pepper, treasurer; and Ann Pepper Litton, publicity and exhibits.

Individuals and organizations who would like to bring exhibits or booths, show crafts, or performances, may contact Mrs. Litton at 628-2392. Fees for entry are nominal, and no admission charges are planned.

Among the events planned, according to the Parkers, is a "jam session" featuring singing and instrumental music. Anyone who plays or performs is invited to come and join the fun. Performing groups will also be invited, from among those known by the Parkers, who are also well-known for their gospel music presentations throughout the region. With their own in-house recording studio, the Parkers have created a number of CD records which are for sale.

Also planned is an auction, for anyone having articles for sale and willing to place them on the block.

Oh, and in case you wondered--yes, there is a Wolf Creek. It's a small stream which crosses Catfish House Road which connects to Louisiana Highway 34 northwest of Sikes. Wolf Creek flows into Flat Creek, thence to . . . eventually, the Gulf of Mexico. But's that's another story.

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