C’ville annual Pioneer Day slated for Sept. 21

A Collinsville tradition will celebrate half a century on Sept. 21. 

As has become local custom, the Collinsville Pioneer Day will take to the streets the third weekend in September. This year’s theme is “50 Years of Pioneers” as it will be the 50th edition of the annual street festival. 

The event started as a multi-day event in 1975 sponsored by members of the Collinsville Parks Association. 

“I was there for the first Pioneer Day,” Collinsville Chamber of Commerce President Marva Worsham said. “It looks a little bit different today, but the spirit is still the same— to bring our community together.”

Worsham said the event will kick off this year with the annual parade down Main Street at 5 p.m. For more information about parade entry, contact Gigi Cox at 903.815.3921.

The Toad Suck Car Show will host classic rides up and down Hughes Street. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Southern Cross Car Club this year for our car show,” event chairman Austin Lewter said. “They are a wonderful group of volunteer automobile enthusiasts who produce an awesome event.  All the proceeds from this year’s car show will benefit the Grayson County Children’s Advocacy Center.”

For more information about the car show, contact Brandon White at 903.815.9323. 

Vendor booths will be open to the public and live entertainment will abound. 

“We really want to make this one special,” Worsham said. “And we are thrilled to introduce some new attractions.” 

According to Worsham, this year’s festival will include a kids’ zone with a petting zoo, entertainment stage, rock climbing wall, dunking booth and mechanical bull.

The annual bake-off contest will be underway in the Community Building capped off by a live auction after the judging where spectators can purchase sweet treats. All proceeds raised from the bake sale will benefit the Chamber’s scholarship fund. For more information about the bake-off contact Cynthia Shelton at 972.948.0937.

The day’s events will culminate with live music on the Main Stage.  

“We are happy to bring the Tejas Brothers back to Collinsville,” Lewter said. “They put on a great show for us a few years ago. People have asked for them to come back and we cannot imagine a better group to celebrate our 50th anniversary.”

The Fort Worth-based Tex-Mex Honky Tonk combo will take the stage at 9.30 p.m. following a set from Isaac Sloane and the Sound Brigade. Sloane is a Tioga native and his band has been making splashes in the North Texas music scene over the past year. 

“We are thrilled to host Isaac and his group,” Lewter said. “He is a local talent of the highest caliber. His soulful rendition of blues and rock combined with a horn section is truly unique.”

For more information about Pioneer Day, contact Lewter at 903.436.8807. 

“We are still in the planning stages,” Worsham said. “We are excited about our 50th celebration and we’ll be making more announcements in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to the Collinsville Chamber Facebook page for updates.”

Vendor space is still available. For more information about becoming a vendor, contact Carrie Lewter at 903.429.3631.