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 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.

"Alto Health For All” will be held at noon, Thursday, March 18 at the Alto EDC office, 316 Smith St. The free event offers an opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of health-related fields and organizations in a casual setting.

The Military Veteran Peer Network will host a peer to peer meet and greet, 6-7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at 804 S. Main St. in Jacksonville. The Family friendly environment for veterans and their immediate family is a great opportunity to meet local veterans! RSVP requested; contact Peer Services Coordinator Bradley Erickson, 903-721-2078 or email [email protected]

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 $50 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.

A family movie night begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at the Corner Lot, located on Jarrat St. in Maydelle. The free event features the film “God’s Not Dead.” For more information, visit “The Corner Lot – Drive-in Movie” link on Facebook.

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.

Jacksonville Beekeepers will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 22, at the First United Methodist Church, 1031 Loop 456 in Jacksonville. The group meets the fourth Monday of the month. For more information, contact Dennis Kenney, 903-330-1705.

MARCH 24

Deadline to order the 2021 Tomato Fest Souvenir T shirt 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 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 24-27

The Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show is back! From March 24 through March 27, area youth will compete in 15 different categories at the expo center, 611 SE Loop 456 in Jacksonville.

MARCH 25

This month’s Rusk Chamber of Commerce Business Associates Social Hour (B.A.S.H.) will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, March 25, at the Rusk KOA Holiday, 745 FM 343 East.

City of Jacksonville officials will offer a State of the City presentation, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at Peoples Church, 14089 U.S. Highway 79 East in Jacksonville. The gathering will take place in the church’s multipurpose building.

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.

The East Texas Square and Round Dance Association will host a fashion show, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 110 N. Line St. in Palestine. For more information, contact event chairs Linda and Gary Carlile, 903-277-8684.

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 1

Story-time returns to the Bullard Community Library on Thursday, April 1. Two sessions will be held: At 11 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m., no preregistration necessary. Pre-packaged crafts are available to take home. Meanwhile, to volunteer as a reader or for craft preparation, call 903-894-6125 or email [email protected].

APRIL 3

Peoples Church of Jacksonville will host an Egg-Streme Drive-Thru, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 3, at the 14089 East U.S. Highway 79 church. Kits with candy-filled eggs will be distributed, with the firt 500 youths receiving a free ice cream coupon.

Texas State Railroad will host an “Easter Egg Express” train on Saturday, April 3, in Palestine. The 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ride travels to the magical land of Easter Egg Fun, where activities include a traditional egg hunt. To learn more, visit https://texasstaterailroad.net/events/easter-egg-express/ to book your seats now!

APRIL 10

The 17th Annual Gallatin Gopher Fest will be held April 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Gallatin Community Center. Activities include a talent contest, cake walks, drawings, silent auction and putt-putt golf. The Gallatin Volunteer Fire Department will be selling their famous barbecue and baked potatoes. Vendor booths are available for $35; spacing is recommended and precautions taken to ensure pandemic protocols. Contact Mayor Kathy Dethlefs, 903-363-7965, to learn more, or email [email protected]. Vendor forms available online, www.gallatintexas.com.

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.

The Cherokee County Master Gardeners Association are happy to announce the return of its annual Spring Plant Sale, this year slated from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17. The event will be held at Jacksonville’s Ruth B. Nichols Arboretum, 1015 E. Loop 456.

APRIL 17-18

The City of Alto will host a city-wide clean-up the weekend of April 17-18. More details to come.

MAY 1

The first annual taco cook-off sponsored by Commerce Street Drafthouse, will be held Saturday, May 1, at 401 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville. Participants will compete in beef, chicken, ground beef and open classes, with prizes including first, second and People’s Choice in each category. To learn more, contact Robert, 903-721-8169, or BB at 903-352-4459.

MAY 7-9

The Cherokee Civic Theatre will present “Love, Sex & the IR$,” a tale about love, money and assumed identity, May 7-9. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee offered on Sunday.

MAY 13-15

The 59th annual Tops in Texas PRCA Rodeo will be held May 13-15 in Jacksonville, with a free family night planned Thursday, May 13. To learn more, visit www.TopsInTexasRodeo.com or visit the Facebook page, “TopsInTexasRodeo.

MAY 15

A Chapel Market Day is slated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at 3620 FM 1857 in Rusk, sponsored by Baughs’ Market and Specialty Foods. The free event features vendors, food and fun.

MAY 29

The 33rd annual Fair on the Square will be held Saturday, May 29, on the courthouse square in Rusk, with food, fun and entertainment on tap.

Lake Striker Resort will host a Memorial Day Celebration, beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 29, at the 18560 South CR 4256 resort in Reklaw. The evening includes fireworks and an outdoor concert featuring Casey Martin Band and special guest Committed Cowboy Band. Entry to the family event is $10 for ages 13 and older; no charge for those younger than 12, with tickets available at the gate or online at www.stubwire.com.

JUNE 5-12

The city’s annual Tomato Fest – now in its 37th year – returns to Jacksonville, with a week packed full of activity from June 5-12. Events include a farmers’ market, tomato-eating contest, car show, farm to table, arts & crafts and more.