The Old River-Winfree Founders Day Festival is coming around once more, and all area residents are invited to attend and learn more about the history of the area, partake in fun and festivities, and much more.
Set to kick off Friday, Oct. 7, the event will carry on through the weekend until 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9. The event not only commemorates the incorporation of Old River and Winfree in 1979, but also the pioneers who settled Chambers County and the areas within. According to the organizations Web site, Founders Day commemorates and celebrates the founding of our community, promotes cooperation and volunteerism in the community, generates community spirit and recreation, and enhances the economic welfare of the town.
Beginning at noon on Friday, a silent auction benefitting the Old River-Winfree Historical Museum will be held. Also featured will be a historical display, the Texas Wall of Heroes, and an appearance by historical author Ms. Jean Epperson. All of these will be on display throughout the weekend as well. The Energy City Big Band will play at 6 p.m. and the festival will shut down for the night at 10 p.m.
At 6:30 a.m. Saturday, registration will begin for a 5K run/walk event benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project. The event will get moving with a cannon start at 8 a.m., followed by awards at 9 a.m. Also on tap for Saturday are a pie, cake and cupcake contest, with registration starting at 9 a.m., as well as a classic car and truck show, with registration beginning at 9 a.m.
A Tiny Miss and Mr./Junior Miss Contest will take place at 10 a.m, along with the Miss West Chambers County Pageant.
Awards will be given at 2 p.m. for the car and truck show, followed by awards for the bake-off at 2:15 p.m. The silent auction will finish up at 4:30 p.m., and local band Davids Heart will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. The fair will close Saturday again at 10 p.m.
Ongoing through the festival will be a re-enactment of life in Chambers County when the pioneers first made their way there. Those who attend can learn about the rough and tumble lifestyle those pioneers faced when settling their little part of Texas.
Also featured will be food vendors, as well as arts and crafts for sale.
For more information, call 979-661-6172, or visit www.orwfoundersday.com.