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Mesquiteville on the Square in Jacksboro will have something for everyone, every minute of the three-day run, June 17-19.
With it’s roots planted by the Jacksboro Garden Club in 1981 as a festival to showcase artisans and local talent as “Weekend in Old Mesquiteville,” the event moved under the City’s umbrella and with the help of the Chamber of Commerce became “SummerFest.” In the years since, organizers changed the venue from the square to Jacksboro Lake, even to the grounds at Fort Richardson State Park. No matter what its called or where it is, local folks remember fondly this summer festival as a time of fun and entertaining contests and amusements. “We hope to have visitors from near and far remember this year’s event and come back to Jacksboro,” said Mesquiteville President Victor Sanchez. As a member of Jacksboro’s City Council, Sanchez is looking ahead to the growing tourism industry and counting on the success of this year’s event to bring people out to see what’s up in Jacksboro.
The fun starts Thursday evening, June 17, with a $15 wristband night at the carnival. The midway will once again shut down the 100 block of East Belknap Street as rides, games and booths are set up to entertain and amaze young and old. This year, there are many new contests and entertainment planned as well as some old favorites. All week prior to the event, crews will be busy setting up the Main Stage at the corner of East Archer and North Church streets. Local businessman Jarrod Stephens, has generously donated the use of his newly acquired building at 101 E. Archer St., the former home of Movie Gallery, for use at this year’s event. It will house the Photo and Art Contest and plans include using this location to register for other Mesquiteville events. “We appreciate all our local businesses and sponsors who have become involved in Mesquiteville,” said Sanchez. Entries for the Art and Photography Contest must register their entries between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, June 18. Entry fee is $5 for each entry this year; however, prize money will be awarded to the winner in each category. The doors will close at 6:30 p.m. for judging and the entire exhibition will be on display from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 19. New this year is the Miss Mesquiteville/Jack County Pageant which will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 17, on the Main Stage. Contestants will be introduced and five finalists will be chosen. The winner will be announced during Opening Ceremonies at 5 p.m. Friday, June 18, and Miss Mesquiteville/Jack County will reign over all the festival events. Her prize includes a $1,000 scholarship a trophy and sash. Trophies will also be awarded to each runner-up. To enter, contestants must complete an application form which includes a short biography and submit it before 5 p.m. Friday, June 11, to Pageant Director Kim Staley. Application forms are available at First National Bank, Jacksboro National Bank, Texas AgriLife Extension and Jacksboro Newspapers. For more information, contact Staley at (940) 229-0332.
Also new to the 2010 event is a contest similar to those embraced by reality show enthusiasts worldwide – “Mesquiteville Has Talent.” This competition requires early registration by application in order to schedule a spot for every act. Performers will audition from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. “We know there is talent in Jacksboro,” said event coordinator Alinda Cox. “We’d like to showcase that talent and put the winner(s) live on the Main Stage Saturday evening.” Registration forms are available at the AgriLife Extension office at the Jack County Courthouse and at Jacksboro Newspapers. Adding to the sights, sounds and smells of good food from vendor booths there will be the Food Challenge 2010, sponsored by Branded S Meats. During Opening Ceremonies, four selected cooking teams will be given two beef briskets and 30 hours to work their culinary magic. Cookers will be set up near the Main Stage overnight as chefs prepare to have their finished products taste tested. Exactly one hour before judging, teams will be given a box of “secret ingredients” and must come up with two side dishes to complement their brisket recipe. “If all goes according to plan, a winning team will be determined by a combination of people’s choice and separate taste tests,” said Cox. This event is the only one for which proceeds will go to Senior Celebration 2010. Once briskets have been prepared, ticket holders may sample each offering and ‘vote’ by placing their anonymous ticket in the appropriate team cache. Tickets are $1 each and entitle ticket holders to a bite-sized sample from each kitchen. The more tickets each team garners will be added to the overall score and determine a “braggin’ rights’ team for next year’s event. With the ‘dog days’ of summer upon us, the volunteer fire department has organized it’s members to put on a little friendly competition to cool off participants. There will be a Bucket Brigade and Water Polo match. Come and enjoy an event guaranteed to help douse the heat. The Jack County Museum is getting into the swing of Mesquiteville by offering a 42 Domino Tournament and a Farmer’s Market, with fresh produce from gardens around the community. Tables will be set up from 8 a.m. to noon. Watch Jacksboro Newspapers for the details of these events. Mesquiteville will also include a Bass Fishing Tournament with applications available at Twin Lakes Community Activity Center. Prize money will be awarded for the big catch and a percentage of fees collected will go to second and third place as well as the “Biggest Bass” caught. Fee to enter is $15 and may be paid by check. Those who wait must have cash or money order the day of the tournament. Contact Jim Feltz with the Jacksboro Parks and Recreation Department for more information at (940) 567-5468. Registration for the Horseshoe Tournament will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 19, until the brackets are full. Tournament begins at 11 a.m. with cash prizes awarded to top two teams. There will be two basketball events including a three-on-three street-ball tournament and a basketball shoot-out. Watch Jacksboro Newspapers for more details. The ever-popular Baby Beautiful Contest will begin promptly at 10 a.m. on the Main Stage, with registration open at 9 a.m. This contest is for boys and girls from 0-48 months and will be judged in four separate categories. The Gladys Johnson Ritchie Library will sponsor a Hula Hoop Contest, Bubble Gum Blowing Contest and a Pie Eating Contest. There will be a Bake off contest with all food entries auctioned from the Main Stage after judging. In addition, there will be a dog show, karate and gymnastic exhibitions and the stunt bicycle show throughout the day. |
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