Panola Pocket Guide 2022

CHAM CARTHAGE CO

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CARTHAGE CONVENTION/VISITORS BUREAU

POCKET GUIDE

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Best THE

SM A L L T O WN IN TEXAS

VI SI T CART H A GE ! We have it all, from great shopping on the downtown Carthage Square to one-of-a-kind attractions. Local shops offer a variety of specialty gifts. Attractions include the world-famous Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. There are also a number of unique statues, such as Tex Ritter, Jim Reeves, and the very special “Footprints in the Sand”. You can also go back in history with a visit to the Old Jail Museum. The nearby Veterans Memorial honors residents who served our country. Panola College offers both academic and technical programs, and has nationally recognized basketball, baseball and rodeo programs.

Our area enjoys great weather, a low tax rate, and good schools. The rural setting offers Texas hospitality and a great place to live or just visit.

Kids visiting would enjoy our Davis

Park splash pad and College View all abilities park.

If you love country music, Carthage is the place for you. The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and Tex Ritter Museum is filled with memorabilia from over 50 artists, such as Tex Ritter, Jim Reeves, and Willie Nelson.

In August each year, new inductees are presented at a spectacular Nashville-type show.

In addition to city attractions, the County also offers other opportunities, such as: • A top bass fishing sport at Lake Murvaul • A paddling trail on the Sabine River • A zip line experience • Local produce from Panola Orchards and Merket Farms • Numerous historical markers

PANOLA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CARTHAGE CONVENTION/VISITORS BUREAU 300 W. Panola St., Carthage, TX 75633 | (903) 693-6634 | cvb@carthagetexas.com www.PanolaCountyTexas.com | www.CarthageTexas.com Find us on Facebook!

Issue 1, Volume 1 www.panolacountytexas.com

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C A L E NDA R OF EVEN TS

November

December

SE N I O RS M E E T I N G November 3rd | 10:00 A.M. 300 W. Panola

HEE H AW CHRIS T MA S S HOW December 3rd Doors 6 P.M., Show 7 P.M. The Country Music Hayride at the Equire Theatre and the Esquire Theatre present ‘A Hee Haw Christmas!’

Featuring Dusty Boots and Southern Impact bands and the Esquire Players with special guests.

A LL T H AT GL I T T E RS HO L ID AY C E LE B RAT I O N & A UC TIO N November 5th | 6 P.M. Carthage Civic Center, 1702 S. Adams at SW Loop You are invited for a special celebration and auction. All That Glitters will also be featuring the “Taste of Panola County.” For tickets call 903-693-6634.

E C ONO M I C D E V EL O PM ENT W OR K S H O P November 15th | 9 A.M. - 1 P.M. Panola College

7 5 TH AN NU A L PA NOLA C O UNTY CHRIS T MA S PA RA DE December 5th | 7 P.M. Downtown Carthage Join us a we gather downtown to celebrate the holidays with local businesses. This year’s theme will be Stories of Christmas, Texas Style

TH A N K S GI V I NG AT TH E H AL L November 19th | 6:30 P.M. Coffee and Desserts, 7:30 P.M. Concert The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 310 W. Panola A concert featuring Linda Davis & The Scott Family To make a reservation and for more information contact Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, (903) 694-9561

HO L ID AY DÉCOR C O NTES T All December long Contest is open to homes and businesses within Panola county. Judging will be on December 15th. Winners will be announced December 16th for first, second, and third place in both the business and residential homes categories.

SMA L L BU S I NE S S SATURD AY November 26th All day Support local businesses by shopping local this day.

January

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M ARTIN LU T HER K ING DAY C E L EBRAT ION January 16th, 2023 Downtown Carthage Square For more information contact Carthage Courtesy Club, (903) 754-9384

CALEN DAR OF EV EN TS

February A RTS WAL K O F FAM E I N D U CT I O N February 17, 2023 6:00 P.M. Champagne Reception 7:00 P.M. Ceremony 114 W. Sabine Street, Downtown Carthage, Texas Please join us for a very special evening as we celebrate the second class of inductees to the Carthage Main Street Arts Walk of Fame

M AINST REET SHO RT FILM FES T IVA L February 18, 2023 6:00 P.M. Interviews with Filmmakers 7:00 P.M. Screenings begin Esquire Theatre, 114 W. Sabine Street, Downtown Carthage, Texas Admission: $5 Students & $10 Adults Finalist films will be screened in two categories, Youth (18 & under) and Independent (19+) the night of the festival. For more information: www.thecountrymusichayride.com

Serving the people of Panola County since 1902

Financial Services

Vacation Loans | Auto Loans | Home Loans | Credit Cards Personalized Debit Cards | Mobile & Internet Banking Mobile Deposits | Checking Accounts FIRST STATE BANK & TRUST COMPANY 903.693.6606 | VB 903.693.9150 | FSBCARTHAGE.COM 110 W. PANOLA STREET, CARTHAGE | www.panolacountytexas.com

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C A L E NDA R OF EVEN TS

Further Out PINEY WOODS QU I LT F E S T I VA L April 14th and April 15th, 2023 Carthage Civic Center, 1702 S. Adams at SW Loop Hundreds of handmade, machine stitched appliqued quilts on display.

Door prizes every hour, and a general store featuring handmade items.

Admission: $3 For more information contact: Rhonda Heard,(903) 692-9048 or Patsy Smith, (903) 693-3383

P R C A RO D E O May 12th and 13th, 2023 Panola County Rodeo Grounds in Carthage, Texas Tickets available at Panola County Chamber of Commerce For more information contact Terry Holland, (903) 754-2619 6 www.panolacountytexas.com

JO HN RIT T ER TRIBUTE S HOWCA S E August 11th, 2023 Carthage Civic Center, 1702 S. Adams at SW Loop Talent contest for all ages featuring classic country music. Winner represents The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame at special shows throughout the year. Admission: $20 advance, $25 at the door.

For more information contact Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, (903) 694-9561, www.tcmhof.com/showcase TE XAS COU NT RY MU S IC H AL L O F FA ME S HOW August 11th - 13th, 2023 Carthage Civic Center, 1702 S. Adams at SW Loop Honors native Texans who have made their mark in the Country Music industry. Each August new members are inducted and perform in a show that will keep you coming back for more. You don’t want to miss this exciting event so plan early because tickets go early.

For more information contact Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, (903) 694-9561, www.tcmhof.com/showcase

Best Prices • Best Service • Best Selection

903-694-2633 2504 LaSalle Parkway SE Loop Carthage, TX 75633

www.panolacountytexas.com

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4 0 TO D O Things

I N PA NOL A C O U N T Y

05

Take your picture with Margie Neal statue on the square.

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01

Visit downtown for sweets, eats, & shopping.

02

Picnic and play chess on the giant outdoor chess set at Anderson park

03

Tour the historic 1891 Panola County Jail Museum and Veterans Memorial on the Square. The museum houses the Leila Belle LaGrone Family History Center and Genealogical Library.

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04

Visit the Jim Reeves Memorial on Highway 79 N to pay homage to the country music legend. The memorial park includes a largerthan-life granite statue of the legend. His wife, Mary, and dog, Cheyenne, are also buried there with him.

Interested in art and sculpture? Make a pilgrimage to the works of local artist Bob Harness, sculptor, including the Margie Neal statue on the square, Footprints in the Sand, Tex Ritter and White Flash at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Panola College Pony on the College campus.

07

Take a drive around Panola County on the scenic network of paved county roads. Enjoy the foliage of East Texas trees in the Fall and wildflowers in the Spring.

08

Visit the Carthage Country Club on Highway 79 North for a game of golf and relax on the patio with a cold beverage.

09

It’s Friday night lights at Carthage Bulldog stadium where you can see the state champions play football in their state-of-the-art stadium that features one of the largest jumbotrons in the state.

11

Get your fit on at the new walking trail at the ballpark on the loop near the Carthage Civic Center.

10

Put on your boots and stroll on down to the Country Music Hayride and Visit the Historic Esquire Theatre in downtown Carthage. Ticket and Info: www.thecountrymusichayride.com

Country at its best! www.panolacountytexas.com

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12 Cheer on the Panola College ponies and fillies as they compete in volleyball, rodeo, basketball and baseball games and events throughout the year! Volleyball and basketball games are played in the newly renovated Arthur Johnson Gymnasium, while the Panola College National Champion rodeo team competes at the Cattleman’s Arena or one of the Cowboy Church arenas. The Ponies baseball team plays at Jim Reeves Memorial Park which also is home to the Carthage bulldog baseball team, along with a host of Dixie League baseball, softball, and soccer games throughout the year.

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Pack a picnic and head to Davis Park with the kiddos to enjoy a day at the playground and the new splash pad.

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Hungry? Tempt your tasted buds with something as simple as a light homemade soup and sandwich, or you can enjoy a good ol’ Southern meal. Choices include Mexican, Italian, Barbecue, Chinese or American cuisine, eat local.

15

Tour The Outstanding Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and Tex Ritter Museum that tells the history of country music in Texas.

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History buffs can check off the numerous historical markers in Panola County. Start with the international boundary marker, also known as the Republic of Texas Granite Marker, located on the LouisianaTexas border near the junction of Texas FM 31 and Louisiana Hwy. 765. This marked the boundary between the United States and the Republic of Texas. The marker is the only one remaining from the Texas Border Survey and one of only two known International Boundary Markers located entirely within the United States.

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Explore the Sabine River sandbars at county roads.

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During the Holiday Season, visit Merket Christmas Tree Farm in Beckville. Santa is on hand to visit with kids on weekends. Enjoy a petting zoo, hot cider, wreaths and more.

Fairplay Nursery on Highway 79 South is a fairyland for children and adults. See all the plants, flowers, shrubs, pottery and farmhouse décor on display.

Bundle up, park your pickup truck on the Square, put you chairs in the truck bed and watch the Annual Christmas Parade the first Monday in December.

21

In February, visit the Texas Forest Service office on FM 699 to pick up free hardwood seedlings to start a new forest on your land.

COMPLETE COLLISION REPAIR AUTO GLASS | RV/LARGE TRUCKS 2357 HWY 59N | Carthage, Texas 75633

903-693-2328 www.panolacountytexas.com 11

22

Visit Carthage in April to see the dogwood and redbud trees in bloom and enjoy the Piney Woods Quilt Festival at the Civic Center.

23

Visit Panola Orchards during the growing season for peaches, blackberries, blueberries and plums and garden vegetables.

Pick your own or buy from the store.

24

Texas Forest Service foresters are available any time to help landowners with stewardship and establishing wildlife habitat and Tree Farms.

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Interested in hunting and fishing in Panola County: Check with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to sign up for hunter education and to obtain fishing licenses.

26

Find out about public lands that are available for hunting in Panola County. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has information at tpwd.texas.gov

27

Stay strong and fit! Sign up for a fitness class at one of the private gyms in Carthage or join the Fitness Center at Panola College.

28

Enjoy fishing, boating, and picnicking on Lake Murvaul and stay in the RV Park or one of the cabins.

29

See the floating globe sculpture on the Panola College Campus.

32

Drive to Beckville to see the close-knit community near the Martin Lake Mine, drive by historic architectural gems, and salute the state-championship baseball team.

30

Book a hunting trip for a day or weekend with the Double A Hunting Ranch in Panola County.

31

Stay over for Sunday services at one of the many Churches in Panola County.

33

Visit Billy Bob’s Zipline and RV Park with GoCarts at 4079 US 79 in Carthage, Texas.

Come Visit Our Christmas Blessing Trees!

Christmas Cantata Dec 11th 10am

SUPERMARKET • PRODUCE • MEAT

201 S. Shelby • Carthage 903-693-5227 www.panolacountytexas.com 13

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Architecture fans can drive and photograph the early Texas and Victorian Historical homes in Carthage and throughout Panola County.

37

Search for the Cherrybark Oak Tree, the largest of its kind in the State of Texas, that is located in Panola County.

35

Shop local with our Panola County merchants.

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Take a drive to the City of Gary, near Lake Murvaul. This scenic small town boasts an interesting history and an outstanding school district.

40

Pay homage to the literary genius of Walter Prescott Webb by visiting the historical marker in his honor at the boat ramp at Lake Murvaul on FM 1971.

n a a m W la n tch Go skating at the a a o n Rolling Rhino Skating m W a h Rink on West Panola. a P l n tc n e a o a a h n m W a m T h h P c a l t c l e n t a o a a h no n W a T m W a h P la P a c l e e o an Wat h n Th m a T m h h P a c l c t e t n a a a h no W a T m W h P a P a l c l n e t o e a o a h n h n T m W a T h Pa P n la tc n t e a a o a a h n m W m a T W h a P a c l tch l t n o a a he no n a m T W a h P P c la t e n e o a a h an h n Scan.

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Enjoy. m W a T m h h P c la The Panola c t la e t n o a o a a h Watchman n n a W T m W a h P P la n tc e e a o a h h m T W an T h P c a l t e a o Go fishing at the public Sabine River access on Highway 59 North, Highway 79 North, and FM 2517.

Buy Local.

Shop Local.

Read Local.

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