The third annual Early Pioneer Days, scheduled for Oct. 16 and 17, will be held at a new location this year, Early City Park, located at 199 Trailer Drive in Early. This year’s festival will feature more activities along with local and out-of-town talent.
The Early Pioneer Days planning committee is teaming up with EISD to host the first Early Pioneer Days Homecoming Parade on Wednesday, October 14. Classes from each campus, along with local business and organizations will take part in the parade, which will end at Longhorn Stadium in conjunction with the homecoming pep rally. The parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. There will be no fee to enter the parade. Anyone interested in registering an entry can do so by calling 325-200-1276.
A “Bar-B-Que” Cook-off will begin Oct. 16 at the new home of the Pioneer Days, Early City Park, which is located at 199 Trailer Drive, behind the Early Church of Christ. The cook-off is sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society and will allow entrants to prepare chicken, ribs and brisket. The cost is $125 per individual or team, with the registration deadline set for 7 p.m. that day. A cooks’ meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 16. All rules and information can be found at www.lonestarbarbecue.com.The popular 5K or DYE run will kick off Saturday’s events. Early registration for the event is $35 or $45 if completed on race day. Prizes will be awarded for overall overall male and female, and top three in each of the following age groups: 10 & Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and older. Teams, consisting of three to five members will also compete for prizes, with the top three times being recorded. The race will start and finish at city park, with the race being timed by Race Day Event Services. Runners and/or walkers have the option to be “color blasted.” Packets may be picked up at the Early Chamber of Commerce, located at 104 E. Industrial Dr.
Keeping with the event theme of “Good OLE’ Family Fun”, Lone Star Lead and Lace is new to the list of attractions this year. The volunteer group takes event goers back to the days of outlaws, gun fights, bank robberies and saloon girls. A “Gunslinger Challenge” will also be held.
Returning this year is Camp Cookieville, led by K.R. Wood AKA Camp Cookie. Wood has been traveling Texas for nearly two decades, using songs and tales to bring Texas history alive. He belongs to the American Chuck Wagon Association and was recognized in 1997 by the Texas Legislature for his work. Wood has experience in movies and television and has written dozens of original songs. His latest CD, Texasville Memories was released in 2012. Camp Cookieville will include a blacksmith shop, chuck wagon display, mechanical bull, trick roper and a Longhorn.
Also performing will be the Sahawe Dancers, a Native American group from Uvalde. The group, who has been performing for more than 60 years, has traveled the world, entertaining at conventions, museums, church gatherings and community events. Information obtained from the Sahawe web site states the performances are the product of “hundreds of hours of planning, preparation, craftwork and rehearsal, as the youth learn valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, dedication and cooperation.”
Other attractions will include bee keeping, yarn spinning and letter block printing/printing press. Local talents will be featured throughout the day on two different stages. Area musicians, youth choirs, gymnasts and dance studios will perform from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Several activities for children will be available including bounce houses.
Kyle Park will be the headliner for Saturday night’s concert. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate, which opens at 6:30 p.m. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets online. The concert will begin with Kylie Frey at 8:30 p.m. followed by Kyle Park at 10:00 p.m.
