Longview 2015 Annual Events Guide

Real East Texas

2015 Annual Events

VisitLongviewTexas.com

Freeze Your

Fanny

Bike Ride & Run

Dalton Days & Wild West Show

JANUARY

Annual LETU Car Show

East Texas Boat & RV Show

March 21 & 22, 2015 — The LeTourneau University Automotive Society presents their Annual Car Show with proceeds furthering missions around the world.

January 23 - 25, 2015 — Outdoor enthusiasts flock to this exciting 60,000 square foot show featuring 40 plus exhibitors showing off the newest in watercraft, recreational vehicles, fishing and camping accessories.

FEBRUARY Freeze Your Fanny Bike Ride & Run February 7, 2015 — 10 - 50 mile rides plus a 5K and 10K run.

Starts at Doris McQueen Primary School. Offers rest stops with water, fruit, and plenty of homemade cookies. SAG support is provided.

Home Products Show February 6 - 8, 2015 — East Texas Builders Association presents the annual Home Products Show featuring products for remodeling or for building new homes along with services offered by financial institutions.

MARCH Zonta Antiques Show & Sale March 6 - 8, 2015 — Thousands of visitors can find those oneof-a-kind collectibles at this major antiquing-circuit show featuring 50 plus quality dealers.

APRIL Downtown Live - Spring April 10, 17, 24 & May 1, 2015 — This free Downtown Longview event is held at Heritage Plaza, on the corner of Green and Methvin Streets during the Spring and Fall from 5:00 until 7:30p.m. The event features a variety of live music styles, vendors and refreshments.

Taste of Longview April 7, 2015 — Sample delicious foods from local vendors and restaurants.

Dalton Days & Wild West Show April 11, 2015 — The dramatic re-enactment of the famous Dalton Gang Bank Robbery plus a wild west show, World of Western for the kids and so much more. This event kicks off western week in Longview.

Longview PRCA Rodeo

Longview Model Train Show

April 17 & 18, 2015 — Celebrating 25 years with bull riding, calf roping, mutton busting, stick horse racing, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and team roping.

March 7 & 8, 2015 — Trains & tracks everywhere! Buy, sell or trade for that rare piece to add to your collection at this event sporting train layouts and dealer displays. A true delight for every child to see.

April 25, 2015 — Annual Crawfish Boil to benefit the Harvest Festival Scholarship Program. All you can eat & drink, crawfish, catfish and all the trimmings, with a live cajun band.

Harvest Festival Crawfish Boil

Fireworks Festival & Freedom Celebration

Harvest Festival

Crawfish Boil T-Bone Walker

Blues Festival MAY AlleyFest May 16, 2015 — This premier East Texas street festival kicks off the summer with live music from high-energy entertainers, arts, crafts, food, a 5k and 10k run and children’s activities in downtown Longview.

JUNE T-Bone Walker Blues Festival June 5 & 6, 2015 — The festival is a two-day, two-stage celebration of the legendary bluesman, Aaron “T-Bone” Walker and Blues music. The event features delta blues and electric blues musicians, food and merchandise vendors. There is an indoor stage at Maude Cobb Activity Center and an outdoor stage on the lawn behind Maude Cobb Activity Center.

JULY Fireworks Festival & Freedom Celebration July 4, 2015 — A gigantic fireworks show with patriotic music to celebrate the nation’s independence at Maude Cobb Activity Center. Activities throughout the day including amusement rides, food and beverages, vendors and a variety of other entertainment, including a concert at Maude Cobb Activity Center. Activities start at 10 a.m. and last through the day.

The fireworks begin at dark.

For a complete list of events visit

www.VisitLongviewTexas.com/events

U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships & Great Texas Balloon Race July 21 - 26, 2015 — The official “Balloon Capital of Texas” hosts this three-day world class balloon competition with 80-plus sport and special shape balloons, concerts, food and exhibits. An annual crowd favorite is the event’s “balloon glow.”

Longview Kennel Club Dog Show July 25 & 26, 2015 — Purebred dogs attract enthusiasts from across the U. S. as Longview conducts this American Kennel Club show.

AUGUST Ink Life Tattoo & Music Festival August 14 - 16, 2015 — This is an artist run three-day event hosted by the House of Pain Tattoo Studio in El Paso, TX and MC’d by Dr. Blasphemy. Doors are open to the public from noon until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon until 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER Gregg County Fair September 4 - 12, 2015 — The Longview Jaycees present a week-long, old-fashioned family friendly county fair with carnival rides, games, exhibits and plenty of food at the Gregg County Fairgrounds.

Gregg County Fair

Landmarks of Longview

Christmas

at the Courthouse

Architecture Tour

Major Battles of the Civil War

Harvest Festival & Livestock Show

September 17-20, 2015 — A Cleburne’s Division Blue Gray Alliance Event. Two battles fought each day. Staged at Maple Springs Farm in Hallsville, Texas.

October 22 - 24, 2015 — The largest show of its kind in East Texas, the Texas Cooperative Extension Office junior livestock show, judging and sale is the highlight of the year for area 4H and FFA members.

Landmarks of Longview Architecture Home Tour September 19 & 20, 2015 — This annual tour features several homes of architectural interest in Longview.

DECEMBER

Neal McCoy’s East Texas Angel Network Benefit Concert

December 3, 2015 — With over 125 entries, the area’s biggest holiday parade features floats decorated to reflect the year’s special theme.

September 26, 2015 — Country music star and Longview resident Neal McCoy, and his celebrity friends, give this concert to raise money which provides assistance to children with serious illnesses.

Christmas Parade

Christmas at the Courthouse

Downtown Live - Fall

December 4 & 5, 2015 — Longview ushers in the holiday season with musical entertainment on the lighted courthouse lawn, a visit with Santa, wagon rides, movies and refreshments.

October 2, 9, 16, & 23, 2015 — This free Downtown Longview event is held at Heritage Plaza, on the corner of Green and Methvin Streets during the Spring and Fall from 5:00 until 7:30p.m. The event features a variety of live music styles, vendors and refreshments.

December 5, 2015 — Actors dress in period clothing and take their places among the Gregg County Historical Museum’s exhibits. Also popular is the HO model train display that reminds event-goers of Christmases past.

OCTOBER

Living History Christmas

Movies on the Plaza October 3, 2015 — Enjoy an outdoor movie on a huge inflatable screen in Heritage Plaza. And best of all it’s FREE. Free soft drinks & popcorn while supplies last.

For a complete list of events visit

www.VisitLongviewTexas.com/events

OKLAHOMA

Amarillo

Denison

287

Wichita Falls

35 20

El Paso

ARKANSAS

Ft. Worth

Tyler 259

Waco

Midland Odessa 10

Texarkana

Dallas 30

45

35

Austin

59

Houston

Shreveport Marshall Nacogdoches 69

LOUISIANA

Beaumont

10

San Antonio 37

Laredo Corpus Christi

Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau Fax: (903) 758-4791 • 410 N. Center Street • Longview, TX 75601

(903) 753-3281 MILES TO LONGVIEW Abilene.............................. 305

Houston............................. 206

Amarillo H........................ 482

Laredo H........................... 488

Austin H........................... 256

Odessa............................... 472

Beaumont.......................... 194

Orange H........................... 195

Big Bend............................ 649

Paris.................................. 102

Corpus Christi................... 411

San Angelo........................ 372

Dallas................................ 125

San Antonio...................... 334

Del Rio (Langtry H).......... 488

Shreveport, LA.................... 65

Denison H......................... 161

Texarkana H....................... 88

El Paso H.......................... 742

Tyler................................... 36

Fort Worth........................ 155

Waco................................. 163

Gainesville H..................... 178

Waskom H.......................... 38

Harlingen.......................... 524

Wichita Falls H................. 257

H Texas Travel Information Centers

www.VisitLongviewTexas.com Special thanks to the following photographers: Sam Smead Photocreative, Jim King, Paul Anderson, & Jim Tilley.