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McGregor Founders' Day
McGregor, Texas
When: mid-September
Where: Historic
Main Street in McGregor, Texas.
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| Photos courtesy McGregor CVB |
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.
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
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