While the actual Bonnie and Clyde died in a hail of gunfire in rural Louisiana in the 1930s, Pilot Point comes together every year to commemorate the filming of the classic film starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty. “Bonnie & Clyde,” shot in 1966 in various locations around north Texas, filmed its famous bank robbery scene in Pilot Point’s Farmers and Merchants Bank on the corner of Washington and Main.
This year’s Bonnie & Clyde Days Festival, which recognizes the Academy Award-winning film shot right in the Historic Pilot Point Square, will be on Oct. 12. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., this festival boasts activities for families, the Soap Box Challenge, live entertainment plus the festival-favorite reenactments.
Dunaway and Beatty were the leads in a star-studded cast that descended upon North Texas in the fall of 1966 for the filming of the movie, which also included appearances by Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons (who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Blanche Barrow) and Gene Wilder.
An oft-repeated legend is that Bonnie and Clyde were frequently spotted in the Pilot Point area, but not to rob any banks. Barrow had relatives in the area, who would offer safe haven to the Barrow Gang between their robberies.
This year’s Bonnie & Clyde Days will bring back the festival everyone knows and loves, while also taking it to the next level.
At 6:30 p.m. on the main stage, Joey Green will be headlining the slate of music for this year’s festival. They will cap off a day filled with live entertainment, everything from dance troupes to other live music groups, including Trent Cowie, Hannah Hokit and Brian “Beerman” Houser.
The Ford Masonic Lodge has taken over the much-beloved Soap Box Challenge. Come up Washington Street towards the Library and check out the racers as they go for glory!
Festival attendees can expect the reenactment of the bank robbery scene, a free kids’ zone, classic car show (including a stellar fleet of Model As), the Pie-Eating Contest and antique tractors.
Schedule:
10 AM - Welcome to Bonnie & Clyde Days (Main Stage)
10 AM - Kids Zone, Vendors, Model A Cars and Classic Car Show Open
10 AM - Soap Box Challenge, produced by Masonic Lodge (Pilot Point Library)
10 AM - Starbright Music & Performing Arts Performance (Main Stage)
11 AM - Pie-Eating Contest, sponsored by Little Piglet Bakery (Main Stage)
12 PM - Film Reenactment (Jefferson & Main)
1 PM - Live Music with Hannah Hokit (Main Stage)
2:30 PM - Film Reenactment (Jefferson & Main)
3 PM - Live Music with Beerman (Main Stage)
5 PM - Live Music with Trent Cowie (Main Stage)
5 PM - Kids Zone Closes
6:30 PM - Live Music with JOEY GREEN (Main Stage)
8 PM - Festival Closes
*Schedule subject to change. See full details at visitpilotpoint.org