There was a huge turnout for the first Bowie Mini Con hosted at the Bowie Library with Freakz & Geeks Saturday. Guests, many costumed as comic book and fantasy characters, took part in gaming tourneys, crafts and other activities. More photos in your mid-week Bowie News. (News photos by Barbara Green)

Are you hankering to solve a murder? Do you need a night out where someone else cooks? How about supporting local youth?
Well, you can do it all by attending the spring murder mystery dinner theater hosted by the Bowie Alliance for Education and the Arts on May 17 and 18.
Enjoy the show, “The Groom Has Gold Feet” by Martin A. Fallose. Travel back to the old west to the sleepy town of Pine Grove. There is definitely something afoot about the upcoming wedding for Miss Kayla Mae Blossom and Albert Webster, as well as some shady characters that are attached to the situation. Join with Sheriff Tickle and his posse to discover the intrigues, and truths to the situation.
Directed by April Word and a cast including Austin Alberts, Jennifer Collins, Jamie Fabel, Deagan Fabel, Sam Goad, Boyd Hulstine, Ashley Keyes, Lia Meier, Michelle Meier, Garyson Minyard, Stephanie Post, Adryana Torres, Brandon Stott, Melanie Stott and Corban Wolsey.
Each $25 ticket covers a barbecue meal and the show. Show times are 7 p.m. on May 17 and noon and 6 p.m. on May 18.
Performances and meals will be at the Freedom Life Church, 204 Theater Rd.
Purchase tickets at bowieallianceforeducationandthearts.com.

Nocona is gearing up for the 72nd annual Chisholm Trail Rodeo May 10-11 with lots of traditional rodeo events filling the bill.
Stock for the United Professional Rodeo Association Rodeo is provided by Champion Rodeo Company. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Children six and under get in free. Purchase them from any queen or princess or candidate, and at the city office before 4 p.m. Friday.
The association has been working on making repairs to the concrete bleachers but rain has delayed this project. Rock also is being laid in the parking lot and they hope to be finished with that before Friday.
There will be a rodeo parade at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Gates open nightly at 6 p.m. with the rodeo starting at 8 p.m. Sanctioned nightly events will feature bareback riding, saddle bronc, ranch bronc, bull riding, ladies barrel racing, tie-down roping, ladies breakaway roping, steer wrestling and team roping.
The non-sanctioned events are junior barrels for those ages 16 and under. There is $250 added each night with a jackpot nightly. Entry fee is $45. Call 940-841-2044. There will be mutton bustin’ nightly for children age 8 and under. Entry fee is $20 and buckles go to the winners.
A calf scramble nightly will be open for those age 8 and under and 9-12. Buckles to the winners.

Read the full story and meet the rodeo royal candidates in the mid-week Bowie News.