COUNTY LIFE
Mardi Gras Ball kicks off Mardi Gras Nocona Style
Mardi Gras Nocona Style, the community’s largest festival of the year, will roll through downtown with several days of activities Feb. 8-10.
This is the 14th year for this New Orleans style festival that is filled with all the color and fun of its namesake. The activities began on Jan. 27 with the annual Mardi Gras Ball that sold out quickly. The 2024 King and Queen of Mardi Gras Tony and Theresa Dirk were crowned at the ball Saturday night and will reign during the upcoming event.
There will be a gumbo dinner to kick off festival week from 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the H.G. Justin Building for $12. Take a quick trip to River Star Casino and compete for prizes in a costume contest from 5-9 p.m.
On Feb. 9 the ATV Parade hosted by the VFW will line up at 4:30 p.m. with the roll-out at 5 p.m. down Clay Street. All ATV drivers must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license. There is no fee to participate.
It will be followed by a crawfish boil at 5:30 p.m. in the Justin Building for $25 until sellout.
Musicians from around the area attended the New Year’s Eve jam for Jammin’ at the Justin. There was a variety of musicians and singers to entertain the big crowd, that also enjoyed lots of great good-luck foods served up by guests and the jam organizers. Along with the music groups played games and a few folks danced. (Photos by Barbara Green)
The new year opens with the first county-wide event this week, the 2025 Montague County Youth Fair, Jan. 8-11 at various locations.
It should be a strong show with 1,160 entries across all the categories and 333 students represented. Here is the basic schedule of activities.
Leadership Day
This year’s contests will be at the Montague County Cowboy Church.
Competition day starts with check-in between 7-8 a.m. for speaking events and the robotics contest. Categories will include junior and senior prepared speaking, plus junior and senior Montague County ag. advocacy speaking. Robotics contest also takes place that morning.
Contestants sign in for the skill-a-thons from 12:30 to 1 p.m., followed by the beef and horse skill-a-thons. Sign-in for the barbecue cooking contests is from 1-2:30 p.m. with the contest starting at 3 p.m. Judging follows at 4 p.m. Awards will be given to the top two individuals for each division of the contest.
Home economics
Home economics entries can be dropped off at the Nocona Community Center from 4 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 7 and 7-9 a.m. on Jan. 8.
Judging will be from 10 a.m. to noon with results posted by 6 p.m. Public viewing is 8 a.m. to noon on Jan. 9. Home economics is a massive competition covering food, fabric and artworks.
Read the full schedule in your weekend Bowie News.
Top photo:A Nocona student works on a welding project for the 2025 youth fair. (Courtesy photo)
Gus Clark and the Least of his Problems Band entertained at the Bowie Community Center New Year’s Dance this past week. Guests enjoyed black-eyed peas, cornbread, dancing and music to welcome the year.
-
NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS1 year agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS1 year agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint