Old Settlers goes on in spite of work

Posted
By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm

Despite work at Jim Hogg City Park on the reconstruction of the historic pavilion, the 122nd Old Settlers will begin Thursday at the park. The entertainment schedule will go as planned beginning Thursday night.

Sunshine Midways has been setting up rides, games and concessions on the front parking lot. There will be plenty of thrills with the rides for people of all ages.

One of the reunion mainstays, the Quitman-Lake Fork Kiwanis Club annual bingo fundraiser, will be held on the Kiwanis basketball court all three nights. 

Entertainment will be on display Thursday and Friday nights with the annual “Meet the Bulldogs” Saturday.

Dale “The C” Cummings will be back with his nostalgic talents featuring rock n’ roll tunes from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. 

Friday night entertainment beginning at 7 p.m. features local favorite Rafael Espinoza. Along with his wife, Emmylou, Espinoza owns the Espinoza Music Academy in Mineola where they teach private lessons.

Espinoza has recorded three albums including one at the legendary Sun Records in Memphis, Tenn. He has won the prestigious Heart of Texas Blues Challenge in Austin at classic blues club Antone’s.

“Meet the Bulldogs” on Saturday night will begin at 7 p.m. Student-athletes participating in football, volleyball and cross country will be introduced as well the cheer squad and award-winning Proud Blue Band.

The chamber of commerce hosts a cornhole tournament at 6 p.m. Friday.

There will also be a blood drive Saturday from 4-8 p.m.

Local service clubs will have booths with offerings from food to cold drinks. These are fundraisers to help fund the clubs’ activities including scholarships.

Despite the construction going on, the Old Settlers board of directors invites everyone to come out and enjoy this weekend at the park. Safety precautions have been set in place around the pavilion slab site.

People attending the reunion are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the entertainment at the pavilion slab. There will be some seating but it will be limited.