Alto's Homecoming Festival is this weekend
Festival fit for champions set Saturday

A festival fit for champions is planned this weekend in Alto, and it all centers around the Alto Yellowjackets.

In fact, this year's theme of the festival is "We are the Champions," from the popular rock song by Queen.

The crowning of the homecoming queen will begin at 7 p.m. Friday. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.when the Yellowjackets host Burkeville at Jacket Stadium.

The Jackets remain undefeated for 16 consecutive games and appear to be poised for a run at their second state champion title in two years.

Downtown Alto will roll out the red carpet for all-day activities Saturday beginning with a parade at 10 a.m. Besides the Alto Yellowjacket team, another parade highlight will be the Shriners of Tyler. The parade line-up begins at 9 a.m.

Sponsored by the Cloverleaf 4-H Club, Alto Homecoming activities will include approximately 25 vendors.

"This is the second year for our 4-H club to sponsor the parade as a community project," said Lisa Allums, one of the event sponsors.

Other activities and attractions include a Mr. and Miss Alto contest at 11 a.m., live entertainment and a talent show at noon and a cake walk at approximately 1 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to top float entries, and day-long activities include horseback rides and pony rides, an inflatable moon-type activity for children and a petting zoo.

"It's not too late to register as a vendor," said Mrs. Allums.

Call Tracy or Camille at (936) 858-2336 for information about booth space and the parade. To find out more about entertainment and other events call Mrs. Allums at (936) 858-2764.

The Stella Hill Library will be open Saturday and will offer vintage copies of the Alto Herald for sale for $2 each.

Some of the headlines include, "Alto beats Grapeland," from the Dec. 1, 1929 issue; "Holcomb reunion called off because of war," in the June 18, 1942 issue and "Sheriff's force gets spears still" from March 23, 1933.

"Available issues are scattered. The earliest is 1927 and the latest 1963," said Virginia Singletary. "For many years there are no newspapers at all. Other years, such as 1963, are almost complete. Some of the papers are extremely fragile but if handled carefully can be opened and read. Individual articles, if cut out and treated with a preservative and/or encapsulated in acid free sleeves, may safely be kept for years."