What’s Happening in Cherokee County

The Cherokeean Herald welcomes announcements for publication in our weekly edition. Please submit calendar information by noon Friday for publication in the following Wednesday’s edition of our paper. Send information to [email protected].

MARCH 13

Striker Trade Day, hosted by Lake Striker Resort, 18560 CR 4256 South in Reklaw, will hold this month’s Striker Trade Day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 13. Vendors sought – email [email protected] or visit the Lake Striker Resort page on Facebook to learn more!

The Good Samaritan Food Pantry and Thrift Store of Rusk will host a March 13 Fashion Show at the Rusk Civic Center, 555 Euclid St. Volunteers are needed to model clothing, with fittings scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 6. Email [email protected] to schedule appointments.

The Good Samaritan Food Pantry and Thrift Store of Rusk will host a March 13 drawing for ½ beef, donated by Dyess Processing, will be held during the event to help raise funds for The Good Samaritan. Tickets are $5 each.

Bikers for Jesus will host their second annual chili cook-off, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at VFW Post 3984, 201 Memorial Dr. in Jacksonville. Judging of the non-sanctioned event will be at noon, with bike games slated to begin at 1 p.m.; a People’s Choice award will be announced at 3 p.m. Cost is $5 for folks ages five and older; children under 5 enter free. The entry fee for the cook-off is $20. Contact Susie Shields at 903-312-7576; Neva Lewis, 936-652-2036; or JW O’Gorman at 903-284-9362 to learn more.

MARCH 18

A monthly veterans’ luncheon hosted at Palestine’s Disabled American Veteran Hall, noon, Thursday, March 18, is open to area veterans. This month’s guest speaker are officials with the Anderson County Emergency Management, discussing how to prepare for emergencies and disasters. The hall is located at 927 Gardner Dr. in Palestine.

A community garden planning meeting will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at the Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library for individuals interested in creating a garden this spring in Troup.

MARCH 19

The 22nd annual Longrider Spring Three-Day Thaw begins at 5 p.m. Friday, March 19, on Texas Highway 110 in Jacksonville. The free event is hosted by Longriders MC

Rusk KOA Holiday kicks off its monthly concert series, 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, March 19, with local Southern Gospel musician Michael Knight as the inaugural music act. Tickets are $10 per person, available at the office or at the door. The campground is located at 745 FM 343 East in Rusk. For more information, visit koa.com/campgrounds/rusk or contact 903-683-6641 or visit “Rusk KOA Holiday” on Facebook.

MARCH 20

The Easter Bunny will be available for photos from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at For the Love of Nutrition, 125 E. 6th St. in Rusk.

The seventh annual Kiwanis Shootout and Raffle is planned Saturday, March 20, with tickets priced at $25 each, three for $5 or 7 for 100. First prize is a Smith & Wesson M&P 5.56 with AGM secutor TS25-384 thermal scope; second prize, a Ruger EC9S 9mm with custom hot pink Cerakote with 20-qt leopard/hot pink cooler. Tickets available from Kiwanis members or online at https://go.rallyup.com/jvillekiwanis.

The Cherokee County Republican Party will host its annual dinner fundraiser on March 20 at the Legacy Event Center, 782 County Road 1511 in Jacksonville. Tickets are available now; contact John Earle at [email protected]. Guest speaker is Nick Adams, an appointee of President Donald Trump and four-time best-selling author/television commentator. Cat Parks, the Republican Party of Texas Vice Chair, also is a guest speaker.

MARCH 22

The Cherokee County Republican Women meet at 6:30 p.m., every fourth Monday of the month. This month, the March 22 meeting will be at the Weatherby Building at Jacksonville College.

MARCH 22-24
A free virtual marriage retreat for veteran and military couples is offered from 7 to 9 p.m. nightly, Monday through Wednesday, March 22-24. Strengthen your relationship with real tools for real couples; event is led by a veteran couple. For more details or to register, visit www.marriagemanagement.org or call 682-730-1818.

MARCH 24

Deadline to order the 2021 Tomato Fest Souvenir Tshirt for the 37th annual event is Wednesday, March 24. For more information, call 903-586-2217, email [email protected] or visit www.jacksonvilletexas.com.

MARCH 27

County Road Rescue will host its inaugural Spring FurFest, from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Commerce Street Draft House, 401 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville. A number of outdoor vendors will be set up at the venue, with a supply drive going on, live entertainment, drawings and a silent auction. Suggested donated items include paper towels, laundry soap, bleach, pet food – both wet and dry –, treats, dish soap, trash bags, blankets cat litter and toys.

Lake Striker Resort will host a Crappie Family Event, from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at 18560 County Road 4256 South in Reklaw. Contestant with the largest crappie takes the winner’s prize; tournament fee is $5 per person, with sign-up at the bait house. A Dollar Backyard Carnival will be held simultaneously, with $1 games set up; proceeds will benefit local schools, organizations and churches. No fees will be charged for setting up as part of the carnival, and prizes will be awarded for the best decorated booths. To learn more, call 281-703-3739.

MAR. 30

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will host its annual banquet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, at Central Baptist Church, 1909 E. Rusk St. Honorees include the 2020 Outstanding Citizen, Businessman and Businesswoman, Rookie of the Year, Unsung Hero, Chairman’s Award and Division Chair of the Year. Cost is $30 per member, $35 for prospective members and $250 for a reserved table of 8. Contact the Chamber at 903-586-2217 or visit www.jacksonville Texas.com for more information.

APRIL 17

The 2021 Bullard Spring Fling and Family Fun Day will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17, in downtown Bullard. The daylong event will feature a number of family-friendly events, with more information available at www.bullardchamber.com.

APRIL 17-18

The City of Alto will host a city-wi