2016 Longview Festival and Events Guide

Real East Texas

2016

Annual Events

VisitLongviewTexas.com

Harvest Festival

Freeze Your

Crawfish Boil

Fanny

Bike Ride & Run

Dalton Days

& Wild West Show

JANUARY

APRIL

East Texas Boat & RV Show January 29-31, 2016 — Outdoor enthusiasts flock to this exciting 60,000 square foot show featuring 40 plus exhibitors showing off the newest in watercraft, recreational vehicles, fishing and camping accessories. www.longviewchamber.com

Dalton Days & Wild West Show April 16, 2016 — The dramatic re-enactment of the famous Dalton Gang Bank Robbery plus a wild west show, World of Western for the kids and so much more.

This event kicks off western week in Longview. www.daltondays.com

FEBRUARY Freeze Your Fanny Bike Ride and Run February 6, 2016 — 10 - 50 mile rides plus a 5K and 10K run that starts at Doris McQueen Primary School.

Offers rest stops with water, fruit, and plenty of homemade cookies. SAG is provided. www.freezeyourfanny.com MARCH Annual LETU Car Show March 19 -20, 2016 — The LeTourneau University Automotive Society present their Annual Car Show with proceeds furthering missions around the world. www.letu.edu/_Student-Life/student-organizations/auto-society

APRIL Longview PRCA Rodeo April 15-16, 2016 — Celebrating 26 years with bull riding, calf roping, mutton busting, stick horse racing, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and team roping. www.longviewrodeo.com

Harvest Festival Crawfish Boil April 23, 2016 — Join the annual Crawfish Boil to benefit the Harvest Festival Scholarship Program. All you can eat and drink; crawfish, catfish, and all the trimmings, plus a live Cajun band. www.harvestfestivallivestockshow.com JUNE T-Bone Walker Blues Festival June 3-4, 2016 — The festival is a two-day, two-stage celebration of the legendary bluesman, Aaron “T-Bone” Walker and Blues music. The event features delta blues and electric blues musicians, food and merchandise vendors. There is an indoor stage at Maude Cobb Activity Center and an outdoor stage on the lawn behind Maude Cobb Activity Center. www.maudecobb.longviewtexas.gov

Gregg County Fair

T-Bone Walker

Blues Festival JULY

SEPTEMBER

Fireworks Festival & Freedom Celebration July 4, 2016 — A gigantic fireworks show with patriotic music to celebrate the nation’s independence at Maude Cobb Activity Center. Activities through the day including amusement rides, food and beverages, vendors and a variety of other entertainment, including a concert at Maude Cobb Activity Center. www.maudecobb.longviewtexas.gov

Gregg County Fair September 9 -17, 2016 — The Longview Jaycees present a week-long, old-fashioned family friendly county fair with carnival rides, games, exhibits and plenty of food at the Gregg County Fairgrounds. www.greggcountyfair.com

Great Texas Balloon Race July 22-24, 2016 — The official “Balloon Capital of Texas” host this three-day world class balloon competition with 80-plus sport and special shape balloons, concerts, food and exhibits. An annual crowd favorite is the event’s “balloon glow”. www.greattexasballoonrace.com Longview Kennel Club Dog Show July 29-31, 2016 — Purebred dogs attract enthusiasts from across the U.S. as Longview conducts this American Kennel Club show. www.maudecobb.longviewtexas.gov

The Battle of Fort Crawford and Gum Springs Heritage Festival September 15-18, 2016 — Experience the everday life of a civil war soldier in the annual reenactment of the Battle of Fort Crawford. Sanctioned by the Cleburne Division and hosted by the 26th Louisiana Infantry. www.battleoffortcrawford.com SEPTEMBER Landmarks of Longview Architecture Home Tour September 17-18, 2016 — This annual tour features several homes of architectural interest in Longview. www.gregghistorical.org

AUGUST Ink Life Tattoo & Music Festival August 29-31, 2016 — This is an artist run three-day event hosted by the House of Pain Tattoo Studio in El Paso, TX and MC’d by Dr. Blasphemy. www.inklifetour.com/longview

For a complete list of events visit

www.VisitLongviewTexas.com/events

Harvest Festival &

Livestock Show

Landmarks of Longview

Christmas

at the Courthouse

Architecture Tour

SEPTEMBER

DECEMBER

Neal McCoy’s East Texas Angel Network Benefit Concert September 26, 2016 — Country music star and Longview resident Neal McCoy, and his celebrity friends, give this concert to raise money which provides assistance to children with serious illnesses. www.easttexasangelnetwork.com

Christmas Parade December 1, 2016 — With over 100 entries, the area’s biggest holiday parade features floats decorated to reflect the year’s special theme. www.visitlongviewtexas.com

OCTOBER Harvest Festival & Livestock Show October 21-24, 2016 — The largest show of its kind in East Texas, the Texas Cooperative Extension Office junior livestock show, judging and sale is the highlight of the year for area 4H and FFA members. www.harvestfestivallivestockshow.com

For a complete list of events visit

www.VisitLongviewTexas.com/events

Christmas at the Courthouse December 3, 2016 — Longview ushers in the holiday season with musical entertainment on the lighted courthouse lawn, a visit with Santa, wagon rides, movies and refreshments. www.visitlongviewtexas.com Living History Christmas December 3, 2016 — Actors dress in period clothing and take their place among the Gregg County Historical Museum’s exhibits. Also popular is the HO model train display that reminds event goers of Christmases past. www.gregghistorical.org Longview Model Train Show December 5-25, 2016 — Trains and tracks everywhere!

Buy, sell or sporting train layouts and dealer displays. A true delight for every child to see. www.easttexas-modeltrains.org/trainshows

OKLAHOMA

Amarillo

Denison

287

Wichita Falls

35 20

El Paso

ARKANSAS

Ft. Worth

Tyler 259

Waco

Midland Odessa 10

Texarkana

Dallas 30

45

35

Austin

59

Houston

Shreveport Marshall Nacogdoches 69

LOUISIANA

Beaumont

10

San Antonio 37

Laredo Corpus Christi

Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau

(903) 753-3281 MILES TO LONGVIEW

Abilene.............................. 305

Houston............................. 206

Amarillo H........................ 482

Laredo H........................... 488

Austin H........................... 256

Odessa............................... 472

Beaumont.......................... 194

Orange H........................... 195

Big Bend............................ 649

Paris.................................. 102

Corpus Christi................... 411

San Angelo........................ 372

Dallas................................ 125

San Antonio...................... 334

Del Rio (Langtry H).......... 488

Shreveport, LA.................... 65

Denison H......................... 161

Texarkana H....................... 88

El Paso H.......................... 742

Tyler................................... 36

Fort Worth........................ 155

Waco................................. 163

Gainesville H..................... 178

Waskom H.......................... 38

Harlingen.......................... 524

Wichita Falls H................. 257

H  Texas Travel Information Centers

www.VisitLongviewTexas.com Special thanks to the following photographers: Sam Smead Photocreative, Jim King, Paul Anderson, & Jim Tilley.