COUNTY LIFE
‘Candy Cane Christmas’ festival parade theme
It’s time to start planning your entry for the 2024 Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade on Dec. 7 in downtown Bowie.
Theme for the festival this year is “Candy Cane Christmas” opening up a vast range of ideas for your lighted parade entry from float to classic car.
Entry deadline is Nov. 16. Find your entry form on the city website under Bowie Community Development, Christmas festival. Fill in your entry from and return to the office at 101 E. Pecan.
There is a $250 cash prize for the overall sweepstakes winner with a $100 price for first place and $50 for second in each of the following categories: Community/non-profit, business, equestrian and decorated vehicles. There is a special award for best theme decorated First Responder.
All entries must include Christmas lights of some form. No live Santas are permitted. The parade is at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. Parade line-up begins at 4 p.m. on Dec. 7 with judging at 5:15 p.m.
No items may be thrown or handed to the crowd including candy due to safety and liability concerns. Those with questions may call the BCDB office at 940-872-6246.
The parade is the highlight of the annual festival which marks its 33rd year. Bowie was one of the first communities in North Texas to present a lighted Christmas parade and Fantasy of Lights has grown each year.
The festival features a Sip & Stroll event on Dec. 6 as a prelude while Saturday has Pancakes with Santa and a downtown tree lighting prior to the downtown parade.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowinewsonline.com
For the first time in its 31 years Mother Nature rained hard on the Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival causing some cancellations, but those who attended and competed enjoyed the fun despite the damp.
While in past years there have been a few sprinkles Saturday saw rain on and off all day from a deluge to a sprinkle. Shortly after lunch the rain slowed to a light sprinkle.
Cindy Roller, executive director for Bowie Community Development, said there was good participation in its contests that were inside and more than 50 vintage vehicles rolled up for the car show. She sent out big thanks to all those vendors, competitors and guests who came out to support the festival.
While Saturday was wet, Friday night filled downtown Bowie with sippin’ strollers for the fall edition of Sip & Stroll With Me. Parking spaces were packed as strollers enjoyed shopping and munching at nearly 30 participating merchants. Roller added she continues to be amazed as Sip numbers and merchants continue to grow each year.
Fiddle contest
The Chicken and Bread Days fiddle contest continues to be a showcase for area fiddlers from beginners to seasoned pros.
This year a total of 50 contestants took part including 10 accompanists. The Grand Champion title went to Carl Hopkins, Porter, TX.
Read about all the results in your Thursday Bowie News.
(Top photo – Fiddlers filled the Bowie fire hall Saturday for the annual Chicken and Bread Days fiddle contest. Photo by Barbara Green)
The Friends of the Nocona Public Library have released some important dates for families to put on their calendars for the rest of the year.
Oct. 9, storytime at 10 a.m.
Oct. 1-31 – Book sale
Nov. 13 – Story time at 10 a.m.
Dec. 4 – Santa photos from 3 to 5 p.m.
Dec. 11 – Story time at 10 a.m.
Make plans to stop by your local library in Nocona.
The staff and volunteers at Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center in Montague County will conduct its annual candlelight vigil between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the Legend Bank courtyard.
The public is invited to come out and support the work of the center that serves Montague County and learn more about their services.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death