A Western Grayson County tradition will kick-off its 50th installment Saturday when the 50th Annual Collinsville Pioneer Day opens to the public.
This year’s theme is “50 Years of Pioneers” and the festival will get underway with an opening ceremony on the Holiday Chevrolet Main Stage at 4 p.m. Collinsville Mayor Derek Kays will welcome visitors along with an invocation from Pastor Rodney Ward, Collinsville United Methodist Church.
The National Anthem will be presented by the church choir.
Prior to the opening ceremony, downtown streets and parking will be closed at 6 a.m. The rest of the festival grounds will be closed to traffic at noon. Vendor set up will get underway 1-4 p.m. All vendor vehicles must be out of the festival grounds by 3 p.m.
Baked goods for the annual Bake-Off Contest can be dropped off at the Community Building from 1-3:45 p.m. The bake-off will be capped 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 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.”
Car Show winners will be announced at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the car show, contact Brandon White at 903-815-9323.
The parade will wind through downtown at 5 p.m. Longtime Collinsville residents Lavern Walden and Doris Ann King will serve as parade Grand Marshals. The Kidz Zone will be open 4-8 p.m. According to Lewter, this attraction will include a petting zoo, photo booth, entertainment stage, rock climbing wall, dunking booth and mechanical bull.
Entertainment throughout the day will include performances by the Treble Makers and Kristina’s Dance Studio along with exhibitions from APEX Tumble and Cheer, RJ’s Karate and Kempo Karate. Bingo will commence at 6:45 p.m. in the Community Building. The days’ 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.”
See page 3 of this issue of the News-Record for a complete Pioneer Day schedule.
For more information about Pioneer Day, contact Lewter at 903-436-8807. Vendor space is still available. For more information about becoming a vendor, contact Carrie Lewter at 903-429-3631.
Holiday Chevrolet is the Title Sponsor of the event. Gold sponsors include 4U Credit Union, Darrin White Construction, GP Plumbing, Independent Financial, McDaniel Heating & Air Conditioning, Nortex Communications, Patterson Professional Services, Ritchey Real Estate, Skreen Door and Texas Home & Land. Event Silver Sponsors are Jim Goldsworthy State Farm, The Play House and the Whitesboro News-Record. Bronze sponsors are Cloud 29 Vintage, Collinsville First United Methodist Church, Faithful Fitness, Frank’s Towing, Innogravers, Photo Capture, Pirate Island, Vicki Short- Mary Kay and Bo Mows.
