Gallatin slates Gopher Fest

The Gallatin Gopher Fest is planned for Saturday April 26 at the Gallatin Community Center.

The community center is the focus for the Gopher Fest. The center was once the site for the Gallatin school that dates back to 1903. The Gopher Fest is the community's way of paying respect to all of those that attended and formed the first consolidated school in the county. Developed in 1902, Gallatin was at one time the hub that pulled the area together. Planners say the community is now becoming the hub that pulls the old and the new together again.

Activities will include the Gallatin Idol talent search contest; Mr. and Miss Gopher beauty pageant, music by various local groups and artists, cake walks throughout the day, silent auctions, raffle for hand carved rose and a basket of goodies and arts and crafts all day.

Competition for the Gallatin Idol contest will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. All acts must be approved by a panel of judges. Mandatory dress rehearsal will be held at 6 p.m. April 14 at city hall. All content must be family oriented. Entries must be postmarked by April 7.

Set-up time for the chili cook-off is 2 p.m. Friday, April 25. Cooking will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday after meat inspection. Turn in for judging is 1 p.m. Awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m.

Engraved bricks will be offered for sale for $45 each. For information contact Jonell Spedale at (903) 683-5099 or Juanita Cotton at (903) 683- 1858 or e-mail to communitycenter@ gallatintexas.com.

The Mr. and Miss Gopher Fest pageant will begin at 1 p.m. Competition is for girls 0-18 and up and boys 0-16 and up. Clothing attire will be western. Each contestant will receive a trophy.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the community center for maintenance and upkeep. A grant was received from the Office of Rural Community Affairs after Hurricane Rita. This money is being used for a new roof, repairs to the siding and upgrading the restrooms at the community center.

The annual Gallatin School Reunion will be held on Memorial Day weekend, May 25, at the community center.