McGregor Founders' Day
McGregor, Texas

When: mid-September

Where: Historic Main Street in McGregor, Texas.

Although progress has made its mark on the town of McGregor, which today boasts of an industrial park and a championship, 18-hole golf course at the city's country club, a stroll through areas of the McLennan County community is still a walk down memory lane.

The Art Deco architecture of the local library brings back memories of the building's heyday as The Ritz Theater, where posters of the latest Roy Rogers western or Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan tale once promised an afternoon matinee filled with adventure for movie patrons.

The old railroad depot still temporarily harbors travelers on their way to unknown destinations, and over at the high school sports field members of the fighting Bulldogs train for another football season, just like the generations that came before them. In a salute to small town spirit, each September the 5,000 residents of this North central Texas town gather for a nostalgic nod to yesteryear that offers old-fashioned fun for the whole family.

Events: Twirlers' batons spin in time to the tune of a high school marching band as festooned floats and cars promenade past spectators lined up along Main Street at the beginning of the day-long festival.

Fans of anything on four wheels will get revved up over the vintage vehicles on display at the car show, and will enjoy cheering on the contestants of the riding lawn mower races as they attempt to "mow down" the competition, while athletic spectators who feel the need for speed can lace up their sneakers for the 5K and 10K races.

Photos courtesy McGregor CVB

For music lovers, an array of live entertainment offers a soundtrack to the day's events, and festival attendees can move their feet to the beat of Texas tunes during the street dance.

Weekend cooks put their skills to the test when they fire up the grill at the barbecue cook-off. If the savory smells bring on the urge to eat, hungry festival-goers can curb their cravings with some all-American fare served by food vendors.

Before heading home, visitors can find a memento of their day in McGregor among booths brimming with arts and crafts.

Children's activities: Nothing brings back the innocent days of childhood quite like the sight of a little red wagon, and both the young and the young at heart will enjoy rooting for the little riders in Radio Flyers as they roll down the road in a wagon race. Juvenile joggers can sign up for the Kids K, a mini-version of the adult races, and a roster of rides and games provide a day's worth of entertainment for everyone from tots to pre-teens.

For more information:

• visit www.mcgregor-texas.com/foundersday.htm