COTTON HARVEST FESTIVAL
By Ashley Colvin
Publisher
The Autumn equinox has arrived, which means the community of Delta County can finally celebrate its biggest fall event — the Cotton Harvest Festival.
The annual celebration, once dubbed “Chigger Fest,” now dons the name “Cotton Harvest,” to honor Delta County’s 100 plus year-old industry. On the festival’s website, a YouTube video called “Enloe Texas – Cotton Gin History,” recalls the early era when the industry’s hub of Delta County, in Enloe, revealed an opportunity for new settlers to finally thrive after the difficult times of the Civil War. Although the festival carries a humble name, the meaning behind it retains a long history of building strong roots by generations of families throughout the hot summer months — provided by their blood, sweat and tears.
Much of these families’ history can be found at the Clara Foster Slough Museum in Enloe, where hundreds of articles from Delta County’s early days are on display — including a large genealogical library.
This year boasts to be the best Cotton Harvest Festival yet, and will feature a tractor show, presented by the Red River Valley Antique Tractor Club, showcasing classic and modern tractors and vintage farm equipment, along with agricultural exhibits celebrating Delta County’s long farming and ranching heritage.
To help set the tone for the event, musical guests will include William Clark Green, Hayden McBride and Brett Boatman — all talented country western stars rising to the top.
Shoppers may be overwhelmed on Saturday, October 10, as every slot for vendor applications were filled by early June. And just so mom and dad can focus on bargain buys, a free “Kid Zone” will be set up on the square to keep the young ones happy at play. Not to mention, there will be
numerous food stands available to keep their attention honed on dopamine hits in between.
A Creative Arts Contest, sponsored by the Frankie McKinney Arts Alliance will offer a spotlight for local talent, ages one and beyond.
Brackets include youth one through seven, eight through 12, 13-18, and adults 18-59, and 60 plus. Exhibits will feature art, photography,
quilts, handiwork, woodworking, sewing, creative crafts, baked goods and food preservation. All entries will be on display in the McKinney House on Saturday during the festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anyone 18 and older may participate in a game of Bingo, anywhere from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An overall winner will be announced at 6 p.m. for
a chance to get a free TV.
The day before the Cotton Harvest Festival, Friday, October 9, a “Homecoming 5th Quarter” event will also be held in downtown Cooper on the square, after the big Cooper ISD Homecoming game, from 10 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. The band, Facing East, will be providing live music for the event.
Also, a big bushel of thanks to all of the sponsors who have made this year’s Cotton Festival possible.
