Published: August 01, 2008 12:39 pm            

Annual event a time to reunite

Carnival won’t start until Wednesday

People attending the 116th Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion will renew old acquaintances and make new ones.

At least that is the hope of the organization’s president, Wando Scarberry.

“We’re looking for large attendance this year,” Scarberry said. “The committees strive each year to make their events a little better than the last.”

The annual reunion is Aug. 11-16 at the reunion grounds, 111 Reunion Drive in Alvarado. The regular events include the carnival, parade, opening ceremonies, queen and baby contests, band and gospel group performances and fiddle concert.

The Old Settlers Reunion started in 1882 by Jay Janes, Scarberry said.

“He was trying to get the group from all over the county to come back together and meet after the Civil War,” he said. “The first one was held at Gathings Park in north Cleburne, and it was held at various cities through the years. In 1905, Alvarado became the host city for it.”

Scarberry said the reunion has been held continuously since its conception except for during World War II. He is only the 12th president of the organization in it’s existence; he has been president since 2000.

A major change to this year’s reunion is the absence of the carnival for the first few days. Because of labor and fuel costs, the carnival won’t start until Wednesday.

There will be, however, large rides this year, Scarberry said.

A parade begins at 6 p.m. Aug. 11 east of downtown. The route goes around the square and towards the grounds. Participants can register from 3-5:30 p.m. the day of the parade. For information, call Jerry Upchurch at 972-366-8204.

Opening ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11. Chaplain Billy G. Walker leads the invocation. For information, call Scarberry at 817-790-3503.

Also on Monday evening, the queen contest begins at 8 p.m. Contestants must be between 15-21 years of age. Rehearsal begins at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 10. For information, call Terri Bivins at 817-774-6529, Doylene Rayburn at 817-929-4086 or Dayna Peden at 817-313-9957.

The baby contest begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 12. This year’s theme is “Day at the Beach.”

Winners receive a trophy and $50 savings bond. To enter, call Charlotte Rhynes at 817-790-8507 or mail the child’s full name, age, date of birth, parent’s name, address and telephone number to Rhynes at P.O. Box 599, Alvarado, TX 76009. Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. Aug. 8.

Alias Smith and Jones will perform at 8 p.m Aug. 13 The carnival also begins this night. For information, call Tim Godsey at 817-312-7276.

Gospel groups will perform at 6 p.m. Aug. 14. Groups performing include local groups and others such as The Poets from Nashville. For information, call Marvin Stewart Jr. at 817-557-3902.

The fiddle contest begins at 8 p.m. Aug. 15. Participants will compete in five age groups, and three places in each group will receive awards. For information, call Keith Woodlee at 817-538-2041.

The reunion closes at 8 p.m. Aug. 16 with a performance by Alvarado Road Show, a country group from Nashville. Cleburne’s Sonny Burgess will perform before the band. For information, call Cleve Clark at 615-774-3379.

All activities are held at the Old Settlers grounds except the parade.

“We extend each of you a very warm invitation to come to the reunion and enjoy the festivities with your friends and neighbors,” Scarberry said.

        

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