Olney Delights At County 25oth Fete
GRAHAM — Thousands of people from Graham, Olney, Newcastle, Loving and every corner of Young County lined the streets around the courthouse square dressed in stars, stripes and every shade of patriotic red, white and blue as approximately 110 parade entries celebrated America’s 250th birthday in a hometown spectacle that blended history, humor and Texas pride.
The parade was the grand finale of months of planning by Stars and Stripes of Young County, a volunteer organization organized by David and Gayle Pratt of Pratt’s Books on the Graham courthouse square. The group spent the spring bringing Semiquincentennial celebrations to communities throughout the county, including Olney, where organizers held a bicycle-decorating party with pizza before the big day..
Positive Country radio personalities Rick Edwards and Matt Pruitt served as parade announcers, while Karyann Balch opened the celebration with a stirring performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The parade itself celebrated both America’s history and Young County’s heritage.
Military veterans marched behind a 60foot unfurled American flag carried through the streets, while members of the American Volunteer Reserve, the Young County Warrior Ranch, first responders, churches, civic organizations, businesses and families proudly displayed their patriotism.
Several Olney entries drew enthusiastic applause from the crowd. First Baptist Church of Olney rolled back the clock with a colorful 1950s-themed float organized by Pastor Chad Edgington. Cub Scout Pack 414 celebrated the adventures of scouting with a scouts dressed in their uniforms on a decorated flatbed.. Mayor Rue Rogers also represented the City of Olney, while Carrie West Wealth Management entered a Statue of Liberty-themed float decked in red, white and blue.
The judges had no shortage of outstanding entries to choose from.
The Shooting Star Award went to Trip Hopper, whose whimsical float featured cowboys, cows and horses racing around the back of a cattle feeder in a playful tribute to Young County’s ranching heritage.
The Most Patriotic Award was presented to Pitcock and Home School Families, whose float transported spectators back to the days of the county’s earliest settlers. Centered around a towering Liberty Bell and featuring participants dressed in period clothing, the entry celebrated the courage and determination of the pioneers who built Young County.
Best in Show honors went to L5 Excavation and Construction, whose eye-catching convoy included vintage military trucks, heavy construction equipment, patriotically decorated flatbed trailers and a live band rocking out atop one of the trailers. Crowds cheered as the procession rolled through the square with music, dancing and an unmistakable sense of celebration.
It was the culmination of a community-wide effort to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial by bringing neighbors together across city limits, generations and backgrounds.