Corsicana —
The Kerens Cotton Harvest Festival went well this past Saturday, raising at least as much money as last year’s event. The goal for the festival is to raise enough to support the Kerens Public Library.
Last year, they were able to add a summer children’s reading program and beginner’s computer classes at the library, and although a break-in required a new security system, things look good this year, said Gayle Steed, chairwoman of the event.
“This is our eighth year and it’s just mind-boggling. It continues to grow every year,” she said. “This year was no exception.”
The Sisters on the Fly Travel trailer tours, the three entertainment stages organized by Christine Howell, the Lions Club’s Churn-Off ice cream contest, all contributed to a good festival.
“One of our local restaurants normally uses about 100 pounds of ice in a day, and he used 450 pounds of ice Saturday,” Steed said.
The birthplace of Big Tex, the State Fair’s mascot, Kerens has an inflatable Big Tex on Highway 31, and that turned into a kind of memorial site for the original statue which caught fire Friday in Dallas. People put flowers around the inflatable Tex, and signed a guest book.
In addition to the library, there were plenty of other winners Saturday who deserve their 15 minutes. The winners in the following competitions are:
Lions Club Churn-off winner was Deanna Jackson, who won with her peaches and pecans homemade ice cream.
The winners of the Chili cook-off were:
First, Allison Williams of Corsicana; second, Larry Preston of Arlington; third, Robby Swart of Corsicana; fourth, Ron Baker of Ennis; fifth, Kathy Preston of Arlington; sixth, Michelle Kirk of Ennis; seventh, Jeremy Tipton of Corsicana; eight, Andy Williams of Corsicana; ninth, Rosa Gonzales of Corsicana and tenth, Frank Gadberry of Lancaster. Because there was a three-way tie for tenth place, it should be pointed out that Jimmy Johnson of Corsicana got a “kiss your sister,” tenth place, which is where the winner doesn’t receive a prize.
Show winners were all from Kerens and the winning teams were Hillbilly Chili, Redneck Made, and Rowdy Girls.
Fast-moving winds 100 feet off the ground kept the hot-air balloons from flying Saturday morning, but the pilots said they want to try again next year.
“We flew a couple of passes Friday afternoon, and we got in the glow Friday night but it went windy on us and we couldn’t do anything else,” said Mark Ibbotson, one of the pilots. “We’re just as disappointed as everybody else. We wanted to fly, too. But we didn’t want to take a chance on anybody getting hurt.”
Next year, they’ll try again, and maybe add a “Burner’s Breakfast” for the pilots who made the trip, Ibbotson said. “I want to do something for the pilots, to include them in the festival.”
—————
Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jjacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “sound off” to this article? E-mail: Soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
Latest News
Related Photos
-
Daily Sun photo/Bob Belcher A collection of restored travel trailers was a big draw Saturday at the 8th Annual Kerens Cotton Harvest Festival.
Discussion
Kerens Library to benefit from festival
- Latest News
-
-
Texas Country artists organize Moore benefit
It took less than 30 minutes for a devastating EF-5 tornado to make a shambles out of the community of Moore, Okla. on Monday afternoon.
It took less than two days for Texas country musicians Scott Brown and Josh Ward to find themselves stopping in Corsicana on their way to Moore with three trailers full of relief supplies for the victims of the storm. -
Oklahoma tornado damage could top $2 billion
MOORE, Okla. — The tornado that tore through an Oklahoma City suburb destroyed or damaged as many as 13,000 homes and may have caused $2 billion in overall damage, officials said Wednesday.
-
‘Click it or Ticket’ enforcement underway locally
As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, Corsicana police are urging everyone to buckle up.
Law enforcement officials are out in full force, taking part in the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted. -
Blooming Grove ag mechanics 15th at state
Four Blooming Grove FFA Agricultural Mechanics team members were district champions, ranked third in Area competition at Tarleton State University, and advanced to the State contest at Sam Houston State University.
-
Local Beat 5/23/13
A listing of meetings and events of interest from throughout Navarro County.
-
AAA: 31.2M drivers to take Memorial Day road trip
It's going to be another busy Memorial Day weekend on the nation's highways. From Thursday through Monday, 31.2 million Americans will drive 50 miles or more to a beach, campground or other getaway, according to car lobbying group AAA.
-
Mental health exam ordered for former West paramedic
WEST — A judge has ordered that a mental health evaluation be done for a former West, Texas paramedic who's accused of possessing bomb-making material.
-
Texas House girds for major budget vote Wednesday
AUSTIN — In the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature, a furious final week is being dominated by distrust, deadlines and delays.
-
Council OKs airport rules
The Corsicana City Council approved minimum rules and standards for the Corsicana airport when the group met in regular session Tuesday. The written rules will allow the city to receive grant money from the Federal Aviation Administration, which comes through the Texas Department of Transportation.
-
Rescue and recovery efforts continue in Oklahoma twister
MOORE, Okla. — Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives.
- More Latest News Headlines
-
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
