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Volume 51, Number 23
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
No bull: Wild West Festival No. 30 a big hit By Natalie gentry According to everyone involved, this year’s 30th Annual Wild West Festival was a great success. The morning started off at a pleasant 73 degrees as almost 200 vendors, concessions, and children’s area booths were set up. There was a little something for everybody including cowboy hats, jewelry, clothing, home decor, skin care, homemade soaps, wood crafts, sauces and jellies among others. Michelle Deweese, assistant at the Chamber, pointed out that the success of the event every year is due to the volunteers from the Chamber, its board of directors, the community, churches, and area businesses. “It’s really just unbelievable how they come together for the Wild West Festival,” Deweese said. “Many get up at 5 a.m., work all day in the heat and don’t leave until late in the evening – it’s a lot of work.” One of those volunteers has worked ceaselessly each year since the event’s inception 30 years ago. Mary Harms has been so devoted to the event that she’s earned the nickname “Queen Mary” Deweese said. Tried and true The event kicked off with the annual parade. Although there wasn’t a competition for the parade entries this year, there was no shortage of participants. “We had more than 70 entries of all kinds,” said Springtown Chamber of Commerce Director, Amy Walker. “It was our biggest parade ever!”
As always, the World Famous “Wheelie-ing Elvi” mini-motorcyclists were crowd pleasers, with their bejeweled jumpsuits and Elvis Presley-like pompadour hairdos. In addition to the parade, certain events are Wild West Festival staples. The “Legends of Texas” gunfighters always draw a crowd with their combination of Western wit and physical hijinks. Three times during the day, the classic Old West archetypes of a coolheaded lawman, a bumbling deputy, and conniving bandits were used to draw in bystanders and place the crowd in the middle of a John Wayneesque gunfight. As always, the newly dubbed “John Conway Children’s Area” was packed all day as well. “There were kids everywhere,” Walker said. “They were having a great time on the huge slide, mechani- A fiddler leads old soldiers during the Wild West Festival’s parade. This year marked the 30th anniverPhoto by Natalie Gentry cal bull, Bubble Bumpers, everything sary of one of Springtown’s biggest celebrations. else.” horn encounter. For a $5 donation Root of Frisco; 2nd, Chris Garza of the turnout. New events “For its inaugural year, the competo the Tabernacle fund, festival goers Bryan. Keeping a fresh lineup of events at were able to pet, sit on, and take a pic• Partial Beard – 1st; Nick Ste- tition did really well,” Morrow said. the festival is always important to the ture with one of two Texas longhorns. phenson of Pelican Bay;2nd, Carlton “Having 25 entries – and multiple in coordinators and this year featured each category – was more than we ex“The longhorn drew a nice crowd,” Stovall of Dallas. three new additions. • Full Beard – 1st, Roy Grissom of pected.” Walker said. “I actually sat on the The Buffalo Bill’s Cowboy Band longhorn!” With No-shave November just Crowley; 2nd, James Pool of Springbrought the sounds of the Wild West around the corner, look for some enThe final new event this year was town. alive with their true-to-era instruments the Wild Wild Whiskers competition. • Freestyle – 1st, Jimmy Fox of Al- terprising locals to get a head start for and music. next year’s whisker competition. Twenty-five contestants entered the vord; 2nd, Jerry Hannah of Dallas. “They were a hit,” Walker said. “I event to show off their flair for facial • People’s Choice – Larry Fredrick received emails and phone calls from hair; including competitors who trav- of Henrietta. A national event people saying they hope we have them eled from Bryan, Frisco, Dallas, and Earlier in the year Pinnacle Bank Roy Grissom was declared Grand back next year.” Fort Worth specifically for the event. Champion and second place overall chose Springtown and the Wild West Responses such as these help the Festival as the subject for a national Winners from the five categories in- went to Jimmy Fox. Chamber plan for next year, she said. clude: Event organizer and whisker aficioAnother new addition was the long• Mustache – 1st place, Jonathan nado Dustin Morrow was pleased with PLEASE SEE SPRINGTOWN, PAGE 6A.
Reno Council approves 2014-2015 fiscal budget
Be there and be Square
By Natalie Gentry The Reno City Council approved the proposed operating budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year at the September regular city Council meeting. According to City Secretary Becky Young, the new budget represents hours of research and analysis by the staff to assess community and fiscal needs. She said the goal is to create a cohesive plan which serves the needs of the citizens and the goals of the council in such a way as to enhance health and safety of the public at large and to enhance the quality of life in the city of Reno. The content of the proposed budget includes the following:
By Natalie Gentry While still basking in the glow of having Springtown’s Tabernacle Square improvement project named a finalist in the 2014 Texas Downtown Association (TDA) Presidents Awards Program, the Friends of the Tabernacle committee are planning to continue fundraising efforts by hosting an event on the Square.
Personnel There is a planned 2.5 percent increase for all permanent hourly employees effective Oct. 1; however no raises were budgeted for salaried employees. Continued funding was approved for the part-time municipal court clerk position, as well as the Texas Municipal League Inter-governmental Employee Benefits Pool.
New event planned to raise funds for Springtown’s icon
A day of fun for everyone Equipment The name of the new event schedAdditions to equipment expenses uled for Saturday, Oct. 18 is “The include funds for a municipal court Square Deal.” The fun will start at 10 printer, a used truck for the public a.m. and continue until 10 p.m. works department, and administrative The day will feature a chili cook-off and a washer team tournament. PLEASE SEE FISCAL, PAGE 6A. Entry forms and rules for the cook-
Tabernacle Restoration
off are available at the city’s web site, www.cityofspringtown.com. There will also be a food truck from Fort Worth and a possible appearance by the locally famous “Crazy Train.” Also planned are raffles throughout the day with prizes including a $100 Cabela’s gift card, a welding machine donated by Ward Welding Supply, a cordless drill from True Value, something for the ladies from Bright Boutique, and a 50/50 pot. Tickets are $1. Live entertainment will begin at 1 p.m. and include the music of Brad Kelley, Huelyn Duvall, and Wisper Cox. In addition there will be new cars on display from the Jerry Durant and Charlie Gilchrist auto groups. At 6 p.m. the fun will continue as a street dance begins. Springtown’s newest public event is a family-friendly experience that celebrates the tradition of fun on the Square and raises money to continue the restoration.
A noteworthy accomplishment The Tabernacle Square improvement project is a finalist in the TDA’s Best Public Improvement category, which recognizes excellence in public projects and planning in downtowns or commercial districts throughout Texas. Other finalists in this category include Cuero’s Downtown Beautification Project and Ganado’s Downtown Improvement Project. Winners will be announced on Nov. 6 at the Presidents Awards Luncheon held in conjunction with the 2014 Texas Downtown Development and Revitalization Conference in Granbury. The TDA is an independent, statewide nonprofit organization comprised of over 430 members, involved in downtown and commercial district revitalization projects. TDA provides resources to members through networking opportunities, marketing, education, and advocacy to achieve community goals.
Members of the Friends of the Tabernacle committee (l-r) Al Garrett, Robert Wilson, Oleta Parker, and David Ward accept a check from Cedar Village owner Tiffany Bowes for the Tabernacle restoration fund. Cedar Village donated 20 percent of its Monday revenues for the month of August. Photo by Natalie Gentry
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