THEME: Fall In Love With Highlands
HIGHLANDS – The 65th Jamboree theme this year was “Fall In Love with Highlands,” and that was easy, with beautiful weather, a colorful parade with many traditional units, and a childrens’ pageant with plenty of posing and waving from the little ones. The pageant was emceed by Miss Highlands Haley Maxey, and organized by Linda Gwaltney in memory of her daughter Cristen Bickerstaff.
The Jamboree is a fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce, and director Jessica Woods thanked all for their support. She announced the parade judging winners as follows:
Non-Commercial: Highlands 4-H Club
Antique or Classic Car: Pct. 3 1929 Ford Truck
Modified or Race Car: General Lee
School Spirit: Highlands Elementary School Student Council
Best of Theme: First Baptist Church, water hand-out
Business of the Year: Pct. 3, Tonya Kostka.
The parade marshal for the event was last year’s Terry Davis Award Winner, Ryan Hotchkiss who rode in the parade in Fire Truck #27.
The parade included a long line of fire trucks, ambulances and special firefighting vehicles from the Highlands Fire Department.
Marching units included the Goose Creek Memorial Volleyball team, Football team, and the Dazzlers and Charms, and the Highlands Junior School Cheerleaders and Marching Band.
Political candidates included Judge Lucia Bates and challenger Denise Graves.
Other organizations in the parade included the Little League, 4-H, Stratford Library with the Rotary van, Texas Softballers, and First Baptist Church.
Pageant cars included Miss Highlands, Jr. Miss Highlands, and 4-H sweetheart and beau.
After the parade, activities moved to the Elementary School for the silent auction, and food and refreshments.
Information booths were also present, from THEA/San Jacinto River Coalition, Precinct 2, and Randy Casey insurance.
A large crowd was present in the multipurpose room, to see the pageant and visit with their neighbors and vendors who participated in the Jamboree.