Old Time July 4th Celebration

Terrell County celebrates a traditional country 4th of July. Events are scheduled throughout the week. Family and school reunions held over the July 4th Holiday make it one of the best times to “come home.”

The Holiday opens with the Parade which moves out at 11:00 am. Line-up starts on School Street about 10:30 am and Highway 90 is closed for about 30 minutes for the mile-long parade route. Floats, riders, cyclists, and costumed kids march down Main Street. The Cheerleader’s float tosses candy into the crowd, most of which gather Midtown around the intersection of Persimmon and Main. Other popular parade entries are old cars and trucks that will compete later in the Car Show for a variety of prizes including oldest, best restoration, etc.

Immediately following the parade, the annual BarBQ begins at noon at the American Legion Hall on Legion Road. Following the BarBQ, the Old Timer’s Reunion will be hosted by the Historical Commission starting at 2:30 on the Courthouse lawn. The old pecan trees provide welcome shade for visiting elders. Groupings of family and friends gather around booths, picnic tables, quilts, and folding chairs.

The Terrell County Car Club will host their annual Car Show beginning at 10:00 am. Entries will be available for viewing throughout the day in the parking lots of the Courthouse. Events on the Courthouse lawn continue with arts, crafts, and booths. Class and family reunions will be held throughout the day. Roping at Downie Arena and children’s events on the Courthouse lawn will be scheduled.

At 2:00 pm, the Historical Commission will lead a “Tour of the Town” starting at the Courthouse front steps. The annual Culture Club Ice Cream Contest at begins at 4:00 pm. Local ice-cream lovers vie to be judges and much re-tasting is necessary before the winners can be determined. More often than not, home-made vanilla or peaches and cream win over exotic recipes.

Activities wane in the late afternoon as homage is paid to the Mexican siesta time, but pick up after the sun goes down. A short nap, a cool shower, or a dip in the pool will ready most folks for the FREE Street Dance sponsored by Terrell County Commissioners Court. The dance on Hackberry Street between the Courthouse and High School features live music from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am. Things get lively about midnight as music wafts fainter and fainter in all directions from the Courthouse block.

Each year brings different events. Sometimes there is a rodeo; a roping contest, or a baseball tournament.