East Texas

BY PHILLIP WILLIAMS
Special Correspondent

GILMER -- Thousands are expected for the 71st annual East Texas Yamboree, which opens its annual 4-day run here Wednesday.

The festival, begun in 1935, features a wide array of events ranging from a pageant and parades to a downtown carnival and a "barn dance," among others.

Stephanie Lynn Henson, daughter of Stephen and Terry Henson and a senior at Harmony High School, will reign as "Queen Yam" of the festival. She will be crowned in two performances of the annual pageant at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Gilmer Civic Center.

Crabtree Amusements will provide the downtown carnival, which will feature half-price night for rides from 6-11 p.m. Wednesday.

Magician and businessman David Hira will speak at Thursday's luncheon for all service clubs, scheduled for 11:45 a.m. at the Gilmer High School gymnasium. He has performed internationally, including for President and Mrs. Bush.

Friday's highlights include the school/youth parade in the downtown area at 11 a.m, and yam pie judging at the Yamboree Park at noon.

Saturday's highlights include the queen's parade downtown at 11 a.m.; a barbecue at the park from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; a fiddler's contest downtown at 1 p.m.; and a band marching contest at Buckeye Stadium at 1 p.m.

The barn dance, featuring singer-songwriter Wade Bowen, is set for 8 p.m. Saturday at the Trinity Street Gym.

Gilmer Fire Chief Mike Melton is president of this year's Yamboree.

Several other events are scheduled during the festival. More information is available by contacting the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce at (903) 843-2413.