Alto slates annual Pecan Harvest Festival
BY LELAND ACKER

The Alto Pecan Harvest Festival will feature a classic car show, live entertainment, a bake contest, food and fun Saturday, Nov. 3, in downtown Alto. Bonnie Magruder of the Alto Chamber of Commerce said proceeds from this year's event will go toward the restoration of the Alto Herald building so that it can be opened as a museum.

"We are very short on funds," Mrs. Magruder said. "We have less than $10,000. Right now we are working on repairing the roof so we can protect the equipment."

The Alto Herald building still contains the press equipment used to produce the Alto Herald. The last edition of the Herald produced in Alto remains on the press. The Alto Herald was consolidated with the Rusk Cherokeean in 1989, forming the Cherokeean Herald. The building was donated to the Alto Chamber of Commerce by Whitehead Enterprises, owners of the Cherokeean Herald. The chamber has been working since then to repair the building and open it as a museum.

"We have had calls from colleges wanting to bring their students to view the equipment," Mrs. Magruder said. "This museum will be very beneficial to the area schools." Mrs. Magruder said the chamber welcomes all help it can get with roofing repairs. The Pecan Harvest Festival will feature many attractions.

"We'll have a classic and custom car show put on by Cecil Miles," Mrs. Magruder said, adding that entries into the show have come from many parts of Texas. "We will also have live entertainment. There will be live music and some of the area high school cheerleaders will perform as well."

Atmar Lester is heading up the live musical performances. He said the live entertainment will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Artists scheduled to perform include Mr. Lester, Odis Bryan, Nelda Cox of Lukfin, The Wilkersons from Diboll, Sarah Begus from Nacogdoches, Terra Greenville and Meagan Totin from Wells High School, Lena Chancellor of Lufkin and the gospel quartet, "Had A Call" from the A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church,

Mrs. Magruder said there will be a baking contest which will award prizes to the contestants with the best cake, pie, candy or cookie recipe which involves pecans.

"We will also have a drawing for $100, tickets for the drawing are $1," she said.

Booth spaces may be reserved by calling Mrs. Magruder at (936) 858-1000, or (936) 858-3637.