3rd Gallatin Gopher Fest is this weekend

Scenes such as this from the 2006 Gallatin Gopher Festival will be repeated this weekend as the community celebrates its third event. Visitors are expected from throughout the state. The annual Gallatin School reunion will be held Sunday. All proceeds will benefit the Gallatin Community Center. The third annual Gallatin Gopher Festival is planned for this weekend at the community center, FM 768 between Gallatin and Rusk.

Festival co-chairpersons Terrie Sadler and Juanita Cotton and other volunteers have lined up entertainment for the entire weekend.

Sunday's activities will include a Gallatin School Reunion at the community center. All former students are invited to attend.

Activities Saturday will begin with a rifle volley salute by the Sons of Confederate Veterans at 9 a.m. Other opening ceremony events will be announced. Sons of Confederate Veterans will present volley salute at other times during the day.

A KWRW live remote broadcast of Talk Time is planned for 8-9:30 a.m.

Live musical entertainment will include Country Gents, VIP gospel group, In Hymn gospel singers, Glory Bound Singers, John Nickle and Kim Killion and group.

Tara Crosby will be in charge of Mr. and Miss Gopher pageant for youngsters up to age 12. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and western wear is the attire for the event.

A chili cookout, which has been named a local boys cookout will be held. Anyone can enter and the competition is non-CASI sanctioned. However, there will be judges and prizes for the best chili.

The Gallatin Idol Talent Search/Contest will be held during the day on Saturday. Persons wishing to enter may call Mrs. Sadler at (903) 683-3333 or JoNell

Spedale at (903) 683-5099. "We need singers, dancers and other performers to enter this competition," said Mrs. Cotton.

Arts and crafts will be offered for sale by various vendors. Persons wishing to rent booth space can contact Mrs. Sadler at (903) 683-3333 or Mrs. Cotton at (903) 683-5957.

Trail rides are planned for 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday. James Morris will sponsor one on Friday that will feature a camp-out that night. For information interested persons may contact him at (903) 683-5786.

Shelley Cleaver of Craft will display his Edsel cars. A display of antique trucks will also be shown.

A silent auction will be held to sell hand made items. Two baskets full of all sorts of items will be raffled off for $1 per chance. Also, a cake walk and a dunking booth are scheduled for the day's events.

"This is a time to go and spend the day. All sorts of entertainment will be offered and there will be plenty of food. Among the items offered for sale will be the famous Gopher-ona Stick, which is actually a chicken strip," said Mrs. Cotton.

Proceeds will go to the Gallatin Community Center.