‘Hottest Festival in Texas’ heats up New Boston
Pioneer Days runs Wednesday through Saturday evening; rodeo is tonight
For 47 consecutive years, New Boston has hosted a huge party each August.
This party, declared “the hottest festival in Texas,” will be in full swing Wednesday through Aug. 19, but several days of events leading up to it begin today.
“Pioneer Days is New Boston,” said Nancy Satterfield, New Boston Chamber of Commerce administrative director. who is in her seventh year of coordinating the event. “People start getting excited every summer leading up to it and you can just see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”
“It truly is a community event,” Satterfield said.
So much so, that the entire festival staff is made up of volunteers, including security detail. Besides the New Boston police force, guards from the Barry Telford Unit volunteer their time to help ensure the safety of the crowd.
“It could not be done without the volunteers – they are just awesome,” Satterfield said.
The festival kicks off with the annual rodeo held today. On Monday, the annual Treasure Hunt starts with new clues posted daily outside the Chamber office. One lucky winner will find the $200 prize.
Music ranges from a gospel concert on Thursday night at First Baptist Church to a string of local bands performing on the Pavilion stage, highlighted by celebrity guests Johnny Lee on Friday evening and the band Exile on Saturday night.
Johnny Lee is best known for his role in Urban Cowboy, and his No. 1 Country Hit from that soundtrack,
“Lookin’ for Love.” Exile began as a soft rock group in the 1970s and had a hit with their song “Kiss You All Over” before crossing over to country in the 1980’s. They recently released a new album titled “People Get Ready.”
Along with music, there will be arts and crafts vendors, an antique car show, an antique tractor show, a motorcycle show, a Wild West show, a saloon show, parade, bunco, volleyball and 42 domino tournaments, pony rides, amusement rides, monster truck rides, bungee jumping, archery tag, a knife forging demo and a lot of concessions.
“There will be any kind of food you can think of—from corn dogs to crawdads,” Satterfield noted.
Festival goers will also have an opportunity to buy chances for cash drawings on Aug 19. Two drawings for $500 each will take place at noon and 6 p.m. and one for $1,000.00 will take place at 9 p.m. Tickets are $2 each.
The easiest way to get to downtown New Boston is to exit on state Highway 8 from Interstate 30, then take U.S. Highway 82 into town. Parking is free and there is no admission charge.
PIONEER DAYS EVENTS
Today
7:30 p.m. Rodeo, Rodeo Arena, Farm to Market Road 992 North
Monday
9 a.m. Treasure Hunt begins (clues posted daily at Chamber Office and Pioneer Days Facebook page)
Wednesday
6p.m. to 1o p.m. Amusement rides, at festival grounds
Thursday
6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Amusement Rides, concessions, vendors and arts and crafts, at festival grounds
6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wild West Show, at festival grounds
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Gospel concert, at First Baptist Church, 506 S. McCoy Blvd. Performers include The Hendrix Trio, Then Came Sunday and David Markham with Truth Infusion Band
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Terry Dorgan, at main stage, pavilion
Friday
5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Concessions, vendors and arts/crafts, at festival grounds
5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wild West Show, at festival grounds
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Amusement rides, at festival grounds
6:30 p.m. Saloon show at Music Country USA
8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Johnny Lee & The Urban Cowboy Band, at the pavilion
11 p.m. to midnight Firewater, at the pavilion
Saturday, Aug 19 (activities all day long)
6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Pancake Breakfast, at Fire Station No. 1
8:30 a.m. to finish—Volleyball Tournament, at 108 N. Center, behind police department. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
All day—Pony rides, knife forging demo, Monster Truck rides, Bungee jump and archery tag Festival grounds
10 a.m. Parade Theme: Red, White and Blue—Hats Off to America
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Concessions, vendors and arts/rafts – Festival Grounds
10 a.m. Antique tractor show
11 a.m. Turkey Shoot, at Scout Lake, U.S. Highway 82 West
11 a.m. Car & Motorcycle Show, at North Ellis Street, north of festival grounds
11 a.m. Bunco Tournament, Chapel of
Light, Main Street.
11 a.m. to midnight Amusement Rides, at festival grounds
11:30 a.m. 4 Wheeler Mud Race, at 409 E. N. Front St., north of carnival rides
11:30 a.m., 1 :30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wild West Show at festival grounds
Noon and 6 p.m. Two $500 drawings at pavilion information booth. Participants must purchase a $2 ticket.
1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saloon Show, at Music Country USA, 142 N. Elm St.
3 p.m. 42 Tournament, Chapel of Light, Main Street
9 p.m. $1,000 drawing, at pavilion information booth. Participants must purchase a $2 ticket.
Saturday, Aug. 19 Entertainment Pavilion Main Stage
11 a.m. Locked and Loaded
12:45 p.m. Trophy Husband
2:30 p.m. Marlon Sharp & The Cowboys at the Cross
4:15 p.m. The Billion Dollar Blues Band
9 p.m. Exile