Posted 9:45 pm Friday, October 26, 2012
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Bullard gears up for Red, White and Blue Festival
BY KELLY GOOCH
kgooch@tylerpaper.com
This year’s Red, White and Blue Festival will provide a day full of activities for veterans and families.
kgooch@tylerpaper.com
This year’s Red, White and Blue Festival will provide a day full of activities for veterans and families.
The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 3 in downtown Bullard. It features a parade, a veterans ceremony, an antique car show, food, a carnival and more than 80 vendors.
“We have worked for months to put together an event to make our community proud,” event chairman Tony Johnson said in a news release. “With a lot of great volunteers and generous sponsors, I think we have put together an event the entire family will enjoy.”
Festivities begin with a parade at 10 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. by a veterans ceremony with keynote speaker Steve Dement, founder of The Brook Hill School.
New this year is veteran of the year awards, which will be given to four veterans, all of which are in their 90s. Trees also will be planted in their honor at a later date.
“One of the couples — he was soldier and she was a nurse (during World War II). That is absolutely amazing they’re around to receive this,” Angela Bradberry, administrative assistant for Johnson, said.
Michelle Cunningham, organizer of the veteran events and patriotic contest, said attendees also will have the opportunity to sign an armed forces community covenant proclamation, which indicates that Bullard is a veteran-friendly town.
“We’ll be trying to get the community involved. We’re forming a task force and looking at what our military needs are in this city…,” she said.
“We have wounded warriors among us, children in school whose parents are deployed, and we as a community don’t know how to support them. … We’re letting the world know we’re devoted to our armed forces past, present and future.”
After signing the proclamation, attendees can enjoy all of the other available activities. Ms. Bradberry said there will be a lot more for everybody to do, including the men. New vendors will be on-hand, and car dealerships are slated to have displays there.
Festivities begin with a parade at 10 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. by a veterans ceremony with keynote speaker Steve Dement, founder of The Brook Hill School.
New this year is veteran of the year awards, which will be given to four veterans, all of which are in their 90s. Trees also will be planted in their honor at a later date.
“One of the couples — he was soldier and she was a nurse (during World War II). That is absolutely amazing they’re around to receive this,” Angela Bradberry, administrative assistant for Johnson, said.
Michelle Cunningham, organizer of the veteran events and patriotic contest, said attendees also will have the opportunity to sign an armed forces community covenant proclamation, which indicates that Bullard is a veteran-friendly town.
“We’ll be trying to get the community involved. We’re forming a task force and looking at what our military needs are in this city…,” she said.
“We have wounded warriors among us, children in school whose parents are deployed, and we as a community don’t know how to support them. … We’re letting the world know we’re devoted to our armed forces past, present and future.”
After signing the proclamation, attendees can enjoy all of the other available activities. Ms. Bradberry said there will be a lot more for everybody to do, including the men. New vendors will be on-hand, and car dealerships are slated to have displays there.
Additionally, some great new concessions will be available, such as kettle corn and candy apples. For the children, Ms. Bradberry said a carnival is coming, and it features a great face painter.
Music at the festival is slated to begin at 2 p.m. The music includes performances from Lauren Alexander, other local acts and headliner Johnny Lee and the Urban Cowboy Band. Lee is best known for the hit song, “Looking for Love,” according to a news release.
“We are very excited to have ‘Johnny Lee’ perform,” Johnson said in the release. “You don’t get an opportunity every day to see an artist of this caliber (in) your own backyard. This event is also dear to Johnny as he too is a veteran.”
According to a news release, other performers include the Bart Crow Band, whose debut album was nominated for the My Texas Music Awards Album of the Year, and Six Market Blvd.
The American Freedom Museum at Brook Hill also will be open the day of the festival.
“This is all to honor our vets, to come out and show appreciation for the service they do for us, and it’s family fun for everyone,” Ms. Bradberry said. “It’s a great way to come out with your family and see the best of Bullard.”
For more information on the Red, White and Blue Festival, visit www.bullardtexaschamber.com.
Music at the festival is slated to begin at 2 p.m. The music includes performances from Lauren Alexander, other local acts and headliner Johnny Lee and the Urban Cowboy Band. Lee is best known for the hit song, “Looking for Love,” according to a news release.
“We are very excited to have ‘Johnny Lee’ perform,” Johnson said in the release. “You don’t get an opportunity every day to see an artist of this caliber (in) your own backyard. This event is also dear to Johnny as he too is a veteran.”
According to a news release, other performers include the Bart Crow Band, whose debut album was nominated for the My Texas Music Awards Album of the Year, and Six Market Blvd.
The American Freedom Museum at Brook Hill also will be open the day of the festival.
“This is all to honor our vets, to come out and show appreciation for the service they do for us, and it’s family fun for everyone,” Ms. Bradberry said. “It’s a great way to come out with your family and see the best of Bullard.”
For more information on the Red, White and Blue Festival, visit www.bullardtexaschamber.com.
