By Butch Burney
Now’s the time to avoid the lines and get your tickets for the 56th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest, with title sponsor Alliance Bank, on Oct. 25.
Tickets are available online at HopkinsChamber.org, at the Chamber of Commerce office at 110 Main Street, and at our local lending institutions (banks and credit unions).
Thanks to our generous sponsors, we were able to keep tickets prices for the Stew Contest the same as the last several years — $8 for adults and teenagers, and free for all children 12 years and under!
Signature Solar is providing the Kids Eat Free sponsorship, so thanks to them for being such a great community partner.
Stew service starts at 10:45 a.m. the morning of the contest and we have more than 170 sites at Buford Park signed up to cook and serve you stew!
But wait, that’s not all you’ll get for your ticket. We also have 28 vendors who will have merchandise and baked goods for you to shop. Thank you, Red River Credit Union for being our market sponsor
But wait, that’s not all. We also have a Fun Zone, sponsored by One Church, where kids can play Gellyball and other games next to Kids Kingdom.
But wait, that’s not all. Come out Friday night for our concert from Dubb and the Luv Machines, starting at 7:30 p.m. The Friday night activities are sponsored by City National Bank.
For stew cooks, bag pickup is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at the Chamber office, and our Stewcomers Meeting (for first year cooks) will be 5:30 p.m. at the Buford Park pavilion.
Window Decorating Contest
The Chamber is hosting a window decorating contest for the Stew Festival. There is no charge to enter, just let us know that your business is competing so it can be judged.
The theme for the Stew Contest this year is the Wizard of Oz and There’s No Place Like Hopkins County. The contest began on Sept. 15 and windows will be judged on Oct. 16.
If you’d like to take part in this fun contest, call us at 903-885-6515 or email us at [email protected].
The winner of the contest will get, among other things, the opportunity to ring the dinner bell on stage at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, to signal the start of the stew service!
Uncorked: Wine, Art and Music Festival
Come downtown on Saturday, Oct. 11, for Uncorked, a wine festival that is more than just tasty spirits. The festival will also include more than 30 vendors, food trucks and live music.
There will be 11 wineries downtown for tasting and bottle purchases, as well.
Visit uncorkedsstx.org for all the ticket options. The festivities start on Friday, Oct. 10, with events that include a chef’s dinner and happy hour festival kickoff.
On Saturday, in addition to general admission tickets, you can purchase tickets for a history walk, boozy brunch, flower art, mural painting and picnic, a mimosa bar, gourmet picnic and reserved tables, Main Street Theatre comedy, and a silent disco.
Help-a-Child Benefit
The 18th annual Help-a-Child Benefit is set for Oct. 17-18 at the Hopkins County Civic Center with chili, brisket, raffles and other activities.
The ag team competition build off is set for Friday, Oct. 17, at the Equine Pavilion parking lot.
On Saturday, the day opens with a chili and brisket contest. The livestock show starts at 9 a.m., followed two hours later by the ag mechanic show and silent auctions.
Chili and brisket will be served starting at 11:30 a.m. at $10 all you can eat, and auction for the project show begins at 12:30 p.m.
You can also buy chances to win a Kubota RTV X with trailer.
All proceeds benefit the NET Child Advocacy Center, Scottish Rite Hospital, Hunt County CASA, Lake Country CASA and Masonic Lodge Scholarship Program.
Sunrise Social
Join us for a networking event when Jasmine Lemons hosts a Sunrise Social on Friday, Oct. 10, at Holiday Inn Express, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend. It is free to everyone, and a prime time to make friends and contacts.
Please make plans to attend to enjoy some breakfast foods and great conversation.
Alamo Letter Dedication
A ceremony to mark the establishment on the downtown plaza of a monument for Travis’ Letter from the Alamo will take place the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 18. Starting at 2 p.m., the ceremony will unveil the bronze plaque placed at the base of the Texas flag in front of the Courthouse.
The ceremony will feature keynote speaker Rosser Coke Newton, co-chairman of the Texas Alamo Letter Society, playing of El Deguello by Kelly Fletcher, and reenactment of the recruitment of the Gonzales Rangers (the Immortal 32) who answered Travis’ call for help.
William Barrett Travis, commander of the forces at the Alamo, sent the letter on Feb. 24, 1836 to “The people of Texas and all Americans in the world,” asking for reinforcements. He ended the letter with the famous vow, If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country – Victory or Death.
The ceremony is free and open to the public.
Ribbon Cutting
Glow and Go Lighting will have a ribbon cutting at the Chamber office, 110 Main St., at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. Please join us for this event.
Rich Cavaness will have a ribbon cutting for his American National insurance office at the Chamber office at 110 Main St., at noon on Friday, Oct. 17.
Jimmy Houston Outdoors Big Bass RV and Boat Storage will have a ribbon cutting at their facility, 3944 State Highway 154 in Yantis. The event is set for 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, part of their grand opening.
