county line Upper East Side of Texas
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MAY/JUNE 2018
M A G A Z I N E
Delicious & Nutritious
FARM TO TABLE Mindful Eating Fresh Recipes Farmers Markets
Outdoor Summer Music Gatherings PARKS & RECREATION
TEXAN THEATER CARNEGIE LIBRARIES THE ARTS GONG MEDITATION
CONTENTS
DEPARTMENTS
8
32
5 Editor’s Note & Letters
THIS TIME OF YEAR
16 Eilenberger Bakery, Mothers Day, Anna Pennybacker, The Duke and Nacogdoches.
CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
18 Celtic Women, Antique Treasure Hunt, Ring of Fire, Let the Good Times Roll, JuneBug, and event picks.
THE ARTS 22 Athens’ Natural Wonders,” The Art of Lee Cunningham, and area events.
STAGE 24 D estination Greenville: The Texan Theater
26
LITERARY
26 Iconic Carnegie Buildings Still in Use
MUSIC
30 John Ritter Tribute Showcase, Blueberry Bluegrass, Outlaw Music Festival, and music listings.
44
FOOD & DRINK
36 Su Casa Cantina & Grill
COUNTY LINE KIDS
42 Young Blues Guitar Players; Peace, Love, and Pygmies; and Mount Vernon Music’s annual children’s concert
FEEL GOOD 44 Gong Meditation
FEATURES
11
8 Farm to Table Nutrition Our annual round up of area farmers’ markets, plus in-season eating advice, The Farmacy in Edom, recipes by Red Moon Farm, and more. By P.A. Geddie
20 The Parks of Sulphur Springs
From the town square splash pad, to history, waterfalls, and castles, this town offers a variety of outdoor adventures. Photography by Bill Ayers
32 Community Summer Music
Communities gather on lawns to enjoy live music by local and touring artists. By Gaile Robinson
SEE WEBSITE EXTRAS! www.CountyLineMagazine.com 4 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2018
COVER: Quinoa Salad at Roast Social Kitchen in Tyler includes wine poached chicken, black & red quinoa, house made pickled green beans, blistered tomatoes, toasted almonds, and six-minute egg, all tossed in a champagne vinaigrette.
county line Since 2000
MAGAZINE
Serving those living & playing in the Upper East Side of Texas
PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR P.A. Geddie COPY EDITOR Steve Freeman Tracy Torma
CONTRIBUTORS Gaile Robinson Tom Geddie Bill Ayers Krista Leard Hannah Fattig Dave Schultz
Digital Publications Assistant Krista Leard
ADVERTISING pa.geddie@countylinemagazine.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS info@countylinemagazine.com County Line Magazine is published every other month, 6 times a year. Subscription costs: $15 per year. Bulk rate postage paid at Ben Wheeler, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to County Line Magazine, P.O. Box 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754. Contents COPYRIGHT 2018 County Line all rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without written permission. Opinions expressed in articles or advertising appearing in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Mailing address: P.O. Box 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754 Phone: 903.963.8306. E-mail: info@countylinemagazine.com Website: www.countylinemagazine.com. Free listings are entered on a space available basis. Advertising space may be purchased by calling 903.963.8306. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we deem incompatible with our mission.
EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Readers, This is one of the best seasons of the year in the Upper East Side of Texas. The spring pollen is gone so those with allergies feel better and it’s not yet too hot to enjoy getting out in the sun and pollution-free air of our rural region. Our small towns make it fun as they kick off the main summer season of farmers’ markets with not only ample supplies of fresh, locally-grown veggies and meats, but entertainment as well. Most of the markets have live music going on, some have yoga classes and one even has tai chi this year, and others have unusual attractions right in the middle of things like the see-through bathrooms in Sulphur Springs. But amid all the fun, the main focus is the food grown by our local farmers. It didn’t take long after moving to the country and living near generous neighbors with fresh produce for me to appreciate the difference between it and what comes from across the country in big trucks through temperature changes and other conditions that remove good nutritions. Clearly locally-grown tastes better. But I’m starting to understand just how important eating fresh food is for our bodies, not just our appetites. I recently took a four-week class in Ayurveda (a medical science dealing with health, day-to-day life, and longevity) and was surprised to learn that not only is eating locally-grown food nutritious and more tasty of course, but it really does matter what time of the year we eat what. Once again, nature knows best. For an example, even though grocery stores may have watermelon in the middle of winter, our bodies really don’t need the kind of cooling affect that product brings at that time -- we need For over 20 years, warm, hearty foods likeArts potatoes, winter Texans for the Texans for the Arts has consistently worked to: squash, eggplant, and green beans that Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) arts funding time ofProtect year to help balance the body Increase funding for the Texas Commission on the Arts with the season’s Expand the conversationweather. about the vital role the arts For over 20 years,
has consistently worked to:
Protect Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) arts funding
but understanding the nutritional value of the foods we eat on a daily basis can make a big difference in the way we feel. Another reason to get out and enjoy this time of year is the ever-increasing summer music concerts many of our communities are having weekly or monthly for several months. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets, a picnic in some locations, others have on site food trucks or other food and drink options. The concert performers range from local singer-songwriters to blues guitarists to numerous tribute bands filling the air with sounds that create a festive atmosphere for neighbors and tourists to kick back and enjoy. Gong meditation is another music event happening this summer with Kenny Kolter. He plays gongs, Tibetan bowls, and a few other instruments that lull those lucky enough to be in the room into a peaceful place. He frequently is scheduled at yoga centers in the Metroplex and comes to Yama Yoga in Canton June 23. One more article on outdoor fun takes us to the parks of Sulphur Springs — they have a variety of them, each with special significant features, making them all worth checking out for kids and adults alike. Finally, one of my favorite things to do amidst the beauty of our region this time of year is to enjoy dining with family and friends in a growing list of restaurants, wineries, breweries and other locations — like The Texan Theater in Greenville (page 24) — that give us an outstanding experience, not just something to chew on. See you there! P.A. Geddie
Please feel free to send us your comments.
Increase funding for the Texas Commission on the Arts
The Official Arts Advocacy Organization for Texas
The Official Arts Advocacy Texans for the Arts is at the forefront of empowering artists, arts leaders, committed supporters, and citizen activists like Organization for Texas you! Together we can amplify our powerful voices to increase both public and private resources to build strong, dynamic,
Texans for the iscommunities at the forefront of empowering artists, and Arts creative all across Texas. arts leaders, committed supporters, and citizen activists like you! Together we can amplify our powerful voices to increase both public and private resources to build strong, dynamic, and creative communities all across Texas.
CHECK OUT COUNTY LINE DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS www.CountyLineMagazine.com
Expand the conversation about the vital role the arts play in our schools and communities Support tax policies and other measures that help artists and arts organizations play in our schools
and communities
Advocate for increased funding for the National taxpolicies policies Endowment for the Arts Support and for federal that and other support artists and arts artists organizations. and arts organizations
measures that help
And, like Ayurveda instructor Sandra Advocate for increased funding for the National Corder says for(page 10), whythat waste good Endowment the Arts and for federal policies support artists and arts organizations. dining opportunities on foods that have zero nutritional value? Okay, we all need a little treat every now and then,
County Line Magazine P.O. Box 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754 email: info@countylinemagazine.com Find us on Facebook and Twitter. Go to LETTERS on www.countylinemagazine.com.
MAY/JUNE 2018 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 5
Enjoy Farmers’ Markets in the
Upper East Side of Texas
SOME OPEN YEAR ROUND. CHECK WEBSITES FOR DAYS AND TIMES AND INDIVIDUAL MARKET AND FARM OFFERINGS.
CANTON
www.CantonMainStreet.org
GREENVILLE
www.ci.Greenville.TX.us.com
LONGVIEW
www.HistoricLongviewFarmersMarket.com
MARSHALL
www.MarshallTexas.net
MINEOLA
www.MineolaFarmersMarket.com
MOUNT PLEASANT
www.MtPleasantTx.com
MOUNT VERNON
MountVernonTxFarmersMarket.com
PARIS
www.ParisTexas.gov
ROCKWALL
www.RockwallFarmersMarket.org
SULPHUR SPRINGS
www.SulphurSpringsTx.org
WAXAHACHIE
FB@DowntownWaxahachieFarmersMarket
WINNSBORO
www.WinnsboroFarmersMarket.com
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Local Food Recipes from Red Moon Farm By Jessica Bullock
Shredded Chicken and Roasted Chickpea Tacos with Garden Veggies Depending on the vegetables hanging around in your fridge, you can change the proportions, substitute one for another, or throw in something entirely different. I’d imagine shredded cabbage, sliced cucumber, tomato, salad turnip, or collard would all work beautifully. Also, would be interesting to see this dish with shredded beef.
Beet Spread with Fennel and Pine Nuts Beets threw me off at first when I begin trying them a few years ago. The more I experiment, the more I have grown to completely adore beets’ color, flavor, and their rich mineral earthiness. Serves 6-10 as an hors d’oeuvre Ingredients 3-4 beets 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 pinch salt 1 tsp. dried thyme 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 2 Tbs. maple syrup or honey 3 Tbs. olive oil 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced 1/3 cup pine nuts A few fennel leaves for garnish Toasted baguette slices for serving Boil beets in a small pan of water for 2030 minutes, until tender. Let cool. Peel with the edge of a spoon or fork, or slip the peels off with your fingers. Cut into wedges and place into food processor. Add garlic, spices, and yogurt, and pulse to blend. Add the syrup and oil and puree until smooth. Serve in a shallow dish and scatter the top with bits of thinly sliced fennel bulb and pine nuts. Serve with toast or pita.
Red Moon Farm is owned and operated by Jessica and Justin Bullock near Van. Learn more about them in the County Line archives and visit www.redmoonfarmtx. com for more recipes.
Serves 4
Directions:
Chickpeas: 1 15oz can chickpeas 2 Tablespoons coconut oil 1 Tbs cumin 2 Tbs lime juice 1 tsp salt 1 Tbs garlic, minced Chicken: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast 2 Tablespoons coconut oil 8oz beer 2 tsp cumin 1 tsp salt 1 tsp chili powder-Ancho or New Mexican 1 Tbs garlic, minced 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) All The Rest: 1/2 fennel bulb, finely shaved 1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips 1 jalapeno, sliced into rings finely shredded kale, cabbage, or Swiss chard lime avocado
Assemble some top notch tacos and dig in.
Corn and Flour tortillas, warmed on the stove top Salt and pepper Sour cream Sriracha
Competition. Marketplace. Parade. June 7-9. Harvey Hall. Tyler.
Chickpeas: Drain can of all liquid, mix all ingredients in a bowl and toss to coat the chickpeas. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 450 for about 30 minutes, until fully cooked, soft, and a bit dry to the touch. Don’t roast them all the way to crispy. Thinly slice the garden vegetables you have chosen to use.
All the above fresh vegetables are optional and can be interchanged with others of your choosing, though the fennel is mighty fine.
texas shrine association
Chicken: Preheat over to 450. In a hot skillet, heat the coconut oil and sear the chicken on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Place chicken and beer in a baking dish and roast in the over for 20 minutes. While baking prepare your spices. Once the chicken is finished cooking, place in a bowl and shred with two forks, adding your spice mix and most of the pan juices to make the chicken super moist.
When you have access to the best grass-based meat around, you need to cherish and savor it. We’ve been enjoying the boneless skinless chicken breasts from Lonesome Lady Ranch in Tyler (www.lonesomeladyranch.com), both for the convenience (so much faster and easier than cooking a whole chicken) and the versatility. This time of year on the farm, we are starting early and working late and barely have time to cram in snacks throughout the day. A quick and healthy meal is exactly what we need. Enjoy.
Open and Free to Public!
Marketplace: Thurs-Fri 9-5, Sat 9-Noon Competition (go-carts, fire trucks, more): Fri 7-4
Parade: Sat 10 a.m.
www.TSA2018.com • 903-566-2151 MAY/JUNE 2018 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 13
The Parks of Sulphur Springs Offer Variety of Adventures The Sulphur Springs downtown plaza or “Town Square Park” is without a doubt a fun place to be these days with something going on most of the time day and night. It has a park-like atmosphere with benches for sitting and visiting, a splash pad water feature, ornamental landscaping, game tables, a beautiful view of the historical courthouse, and the ever-popular see-through bathrooms, the first of their kind in the United States where the occupant inside can see out, but the people outside cannot see in. The city also has a number of other parks well worth a visit. Buford Park is located at the west end of Connally Street opposite the Hopkins County Courthouse. A one-acre castle playground built in 1997, known as Kids Kingdom, is one of the main features of these wooded grounds. This recreational area also includes lighted baseball fields, walking/jogging trails, gazebos, pavilion, Peavine Pinion pond with a lighted boardwalk, a skateboard park and basketball court.
War memorabilia, Caddo Indian relics, miniatures, women’s period apparel, a doll collection, and more. Learn more about the museum and park at www. hopkinscountymuseum.org and call 903.885.2387. They often have special events like the Arts, Crafts and Collectibles Show going on May 19-20. Besides these fun and informative locations, an adventure to Sulphur Springs might also include the Music Box Museum and the Southwest Dairy Museum.
Above: A waterfall at Coleman Park. Below top: Kids Kingdom at Buford Park; bottom: Splash Pad at Town Square Park; Right top: The chapel at Heritage Park, where special events and weddings sometimes take place; bottom: Visitors of all ages get a feel for days of old in Heritage Park.
Call the City of Sulphur Springs at 903.885.7541 for questions go to www. visitsulphurspringstx.org.
All photos by Bill Ayers except for Coleman Park (above) which was provided by City of Sulphur Springs.
A very short drive from downtown is Coleman Park on Gosset Lane near Interstate 30 and Highway 19. The facilities and activity areas include a picturesque 2.5 mile concrete walking trail circling Lake Coleman taking visitors past two breathtaking waterfalls, over three bridges, and through a tunnel. The park has numerous recreational and sporting facilities for soccer, baseball/softball, tennis, fishing, picnic, playground area, nature trail, and concession stands. Heritage Park is located at 416 North Jackson Street a few blocks from the downtown square. It features 11 acres of relocated historical buildings with the flavor of small town Texas around the turn of the century. Visitors can tour a working blacksmith shop, the first brick home in the county, a country store and post office, a grist mill, log houses, farm homes, a chapel, and much more. Also on the grounds is the Hopkins County Museum, housed in the architecturally distinct George H. Wilson house built in 1910, featuring many unique design elements. Collections include Civil 20 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2018
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Iconic Carnegie Buildings Still in Use Scottish Immigrant Helped Start First Libraries in Many Towns
By Steve Freeman The pride of many early cities and towns in the Upper East Side of Texas became more prominent 100 years ago when a generous industrialist shared his wealth with hundreds of communities to build and establish their first public libraries. Visitors to the cities of Gainesville, Jefferson, Marshall, Palestine, Sherman, Terrell, and Tyler can still see some of these original structures. Five have National Register of Historic Places status. His name was Andrew Carnegie and his experiment forged a legacy of public appreciation for libraries that continues today, even though many of his original structures are no more. Jefferson’s building is one of only four Carnegie structures in Texas still serving as a library; the others are used as offices, museums and businesses and newer buildings were built to serve the communities’ library needs. Just like yesteryear, the Jefferson Library hums along every day of the week (but Sunday) with a variety of activities and events, says Kevin Godfrey, city
tourism director. Besides children and adult programs, it’s a popular venue for weddings, organizational meetings and special events like the Big Green Eggfest, a golf tournament and even regular meetings for a chapter of the American Girl Book Club. “The library has been a mainstay in Jefferson since 1907,” says Godfrey, who also served on the Friends of the Carnegie Library board of directors. “The building has all of the original architectural elements as when it was designed and built.” Four tall white Ionic Greek columns greet visitors at the library’s front steps at 301 West Lafayette Street. Combined with the arched windows, they give the impression to a library patron of entering a grand world of infinite possibilities. Carnegie gave $10,000 for its start.
Defining Libraries
Ask just about anyone in any of the towns and they will know how to point the way to the “Carnegie Library.” Carnegie was one of the richest men in America in the mid-1800s and he
became a strong believer in people having access to intellectual enrichment through the new concept of free and public libraries. Between 1883 and 1929, he gave $60 million (equivalent to $1.5 billion today) to build many of the first public and free libraries: 2,509 libraries around the world, including 1,689 in the U.S. and 32 in Texas. Carnegie was a Scottish immigrant who created a steel-producing empire based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From an early age, he remembers spending time in the few libraries available in the early part of the 19th century. Most were located at universities or were private collections, out of reach from the general public. The concept of a public tax-supported library was new. Big cities like Boston and New York had libraries for decades, but the vast majority of Americans had greatly limited access to books and periodicals. The Carnegie Library Fund identified cities and towns that had evolved to a place of being able to support and opPhoto by Dave Schultz
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erate “free” libraries for the general public. Only municipalities willing to donate the land and increase local taxes (matching about 10 percent of the grant total per year) to establish and sustain the library were considered for grant money. The architectural design of Carnegie libraries was as much a point of pride for local communities as the fact of having a library in town. Carnegie commissioned several talented designers who contributed to the early 20th century architectural gems gracing small- and medium-sized towns across the nation.
Photo from The Lyda Hill Texas Collection of Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith’s America Project, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
Courtesy Photo
Operational standards that are common for libraries today became reality during the Carnegie era. Checking a book became free. Anyone could use the library, instead of just scholars, university students, and those in religious training. Library patrons enjoyed the self-service ability to roam around to find what they wanted. Periodicals were up-to-date. Libraries also increasingly worked with local schools in need of book collections. Scholarship was encouraged by the start of special research sections.
Check It Out
Besides the Jefferson library, others in this region are noteworthy.
Courtesy Photo
The Marshall structure was built in 1907 on the campus of Wiley College, but served both the college students at the African-American school and the public at first (until 1974). Booker T. Washington persuaded Carnegie to make the $15,000 gift even though the college could not come up with matching funds. It is one of very view Carnegie gifts bestowed on a college or university. Students made up the construction crew. Today, it’s used as the Willis J. King Administration building and another building houses the library. The struccontinued page 29 The Carnegie building in Palestine (left) is now a city facility. Right, top to bottom: The building in Terrell features the names of ancient poets Homer and Virgil. The Jefferson Carnegie Library is one of only four in the state of Texas to still be used as a library. The building in Marshall was made even more famous as it is featured in the movie The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington.
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Communities Present Summer Music Events By Gaile Robinson Dude! You missed Coachella again? The tickets went on sale in January. Sure was pricey this year — $429 to get in the gate and $999 to hang with the swells. No wonder you weren’t there. Oh well, you weren’t going to get close to Beyoncé anyway. Take heart, there are music acts all over the state of Texas this summer, many of them free. You can even bring your own chair, or blanket, and an ice chest of your favorite beverages. This is the inexpensive way to spend a summer’s evening and you won’t have to elbow your way through a crowd of paparazzi. Many local concert series are efforts of the Texas Main Street program and are in effect across the state. Some in the Northeast Texas area such as the one in Allen have been going on for decades; others, are in their infancy. The focus of the Main Street program is to revitalize the historic downtown area by emphasizing it as a gathering place for the community. “As a result, music [events] have a strong potential to create economic impact and support for Shop Local initiatives,” says Debra Drescher, state coordinator of the Texas Main Street Program which is under the auspices of the Texas Historical Commission. “Historic Main Street downtowns are a perfect venue for mu-
sic events; there’s nothing like listening to your favorite music under the stars against the backdrop of historic buildings.” Here are a few community summer music series this year in the Upper East Side of Texas.
Allen
The City of Allen believes in kicking off the week with some good family fun on Monday evenings in June with their free Summer Sounds Concert Series at the Joe Farmer Recreation Center. A variety of music genres includes classical, country, and contemporary pop with these shows: June 4, Spazmatics, 80s music; June 11, Memory Trip, a Journey tribute band; June 18, Kylee Rutland & Tanner Fenoglio, country and western: June 25, Moving Colors, a local band that plays a variety of music. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. Free In-NOut burgers are given to the first 1,000 visitors June 4, 18 and 25. To avoid the crowd guests can also bring their own picnic and beverages. Italian ices and cold beverages are sold. Blankets or low folding chairs are recommended. Call 214.509.4100 for more information and visit www.cityofallen.org/1017/ Summer-Sounds.
Athens
The Texan: A Landmark Venue is kicking off a summer season of music May 25 in conjunction with the famed Old Fiddlers Contest and Reunion, now in its 87th year. Bill Kirchen & Redd Volkaert, The Western Flyers, and Jake Penrod are on hand to introduce the newly remodeled venue with a free indoor variety-show style concert where guests can bring family and friends to enjoy the bluegrass and western swing. Following the May 25 show, the Texan kicks off their second annual Texan Summer Concert Series on June 23 with an indoor Texan benefit show featuring local musicians followed by the Texan’s Grand Opening on July 3 with a free outdoor concert featuring country music recording artist Darryl Worley. For this Independence Day celebration, folks are invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the show under a star-filled sky. The final show of the summer con-
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cert series takes place inside The Texan on July 21 with Texas Country artist Hayes Carll. On site food and beverages are provided at each concert. Parking is available behind the theater and on city streets. Call 903.675.5131 and go to thetexanathens.com for more information.
Denison Denison Music Series presents Music on Main every Friday from May 25 through July 27. The free concerts take place downtown in Heritage Park in a relaxed lawn setting. Denison’s lineup is one of the best around with The Texoma Gospel Saints and Billie Jo Sewell kicking things off on May 25. Then on June 1 Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown take the stage with Sons of Fannin. Bryant was born in Honey Grove near Bonham. He bought his first guitar from Hollybond’s Music Store in Paris, Texas. He’s toured and opened for Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, B.B. King, Pat Benatar, Heart, Guns N’ Roses and more. He and the band make this Denison stop after touring all over the U.S. and after this show they head to Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, and Sweden before returning to the states again in October. Other outstanding performers taking the stage at Music on Main include Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience with Jim Stewart June 8, Josh Weathers with Jared Mitchell Band June 15, Texas favorite Max Stalling on June 22 with Travis Parker, Jack Ingram with Greg Guymon on June 29, Black Dirt Playboys with Bailey Wesberry on July 6, Sisters Morales with Jason Elmore July 13, Two Tons of Steel with Mark Shelton July 20, and Shenandoah featuring Marty Raybon with Chris Colston July 27. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Park, 324 W. Main in downtown Denison. Lawn seating so bring blankets or chairs. Plenty of parking along Chestnut St. Restaurants in the area are open, and there are food trucks. Wine, BBQ, and shaved ice vendors are in the park area. Visit denisonlive.com or call 903.464.4452.
Music on Main happens in Denison every Friday this summer. OPPOSITE: Ally Venable performs to the delight of these little girls and the crowd at Denison’s Music on Main. Venable often performs in her hometown of Kilgore as well. Courtesy photos
Forney The City of Forney holds free Concerts in the Park Thursday nights at the Spellman Amphitheater with a variety of music genres including cover and party bands. The schedule includes May 10, Escape, a Journey tribute band; May 17, Live 80, 80s party music; May 24, Guns 4 Roses, a Guns N’ Roses tribute band; June 7, All Funk Radio, old school R&B, MoTown party band; June 14, Desperado, Eagles tribute band; and June 21, Big City Outlaws, Country Rock band. Also in the park June 1 and 2, Jack Ingram headlines the 2018 BBQ cook off. Concerts begin at 8 p.m., with gates opening an hour earlier. Call 972.564.7329 and visit www.cityofforney.org.
Kilgore Kilgore’s Fridays After 5 includes concerts the first Friday of the month through the summer, except July. The outdoor concert series features a live band, food vendors, and market stalls under gigantic oil derricks in the World’s Richest Acre on Commerce Street from 7-10 p.m. These events are family friendly and free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. They kicked off in April with Harvest Moon Coun-
tryGrass and the remaining schedule is on www.kilgoremainstreet.com or call 903.988.4117.
Longview
Longview Main Street presents Downtown Live Fridays in May and again in September and October in Heritage Plaza. Check them out this summer for local talent, food trucks, and cold beer. See The Tuxedo Cats May 4, Lee Mathis & The Brutally Handsome May 11, Sweet Pain Rocks May 18, and Out on Bail May 25. On Saturday May 26 is Downtown Live Double Shot featuring the Big Pines Blues Youth Showcase and a concert by Buddy Flett and Bluesbeat. For more information go to www.visitlongviewtexas.com or call 903.239.5538.
Marshall
The central square in Marshall hosts festivities all day long the second Saturday of each month May through November with vendors in the morning, a car show in the afternoon, and musicians in the evening. Concerts, which are booked a few weeks in advance, begin around 8:15 p.m. in Telegraph Park, 100 N. Washington St., and conclude at 10:30 p.m. or thereabouts. There are a few benches but organizers
suggest visitors bring chairs and blankets. Ice chests are welcome and there are several establishments around the square that sell food and beverages. There is plenty of downtown parking within a block of the Telegraph Stage. For more information call 903.702.777 and visit www.marshalltexas.net.
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant downtown merchants and organizations created a wonderful gathering space in a once deserted back alley. The Alley on Third, 107 West Third, is now an outdoor music venue with table seating in a relaxing atmosphere. They feature local and touring musicians every Thursday night in May and June as well as in August, September, and October. Upcoming performers include Riley Redding, Charlie J. Memphis, Katie Rai, Heather Harper, and more. Shows start at 7 p.m. Guests can BYOB and restaurants are within walking distance. Call 903.575.4000, www.facebook.com/MainStreetMountPleasant.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon Main Street presents music every second Saturday of the continued page 34
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