Archive for October, 2009
Jefferson hosts the Marion County Fair, an intentionally old-fashioned event
Saturday, October 31st, 2009
Ellen in the crosscut saw contest
Jefferson is the only city in Marion County. For Jefferson, with a population just under 2000, hosting the County Fair is a big undertaking. Beje Foster, and the Marion County Fair Board solved this problem brilliantly with an intentionally old fashioned event. There was a pig chase, a greased pole climb, syrup sompin’ contests, chicken judging, and wood cutting events. Men, women, boys and girls, young and old competed, laughed, and cheered. Everyone had a great time. The three-day event was capped with a Saturday evening barn dance. If you missed this year’s fair, be sure to come next year. The fair is not promoted much outside of Marion County, but the event is so pure and enveloping, it would make a perfect destination for tourists, day-trippers, and weekenders. Come one, come all, to next year’s marion County “Old Tyme Fair”.
Tags: Fair, Jefferson, Marion County, Texas
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Boo Run Benefit, Jefferson, TX
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Boo Run is a charity benefit event for burn victims hosted by Jefferson, Texas. This historic little river port town turns into a motorcycle destination for the entire southwest. 30,000 to 45,000 people fill the streets to benefit burn victims.
This crowd scene covered two city blocks. Beyond this point streets were filled with parked motorcycles. Cycles were parked along each curb with an additional row down the center of each street and extended for blocks in all directions. By noon, there were no more parking spots in Jefferson’s downtown.
The beer garden at the Jefferson Tourist building held the Excel Stage with live music throughout the day and night. Music played at venues all around town. A new addition this year was the food/beer/wine garden at Torrans’ Manufacturing’s Glory Dayz ‘50s/art deco restaurant. “Destiny Duke and the Hazards” played under lights strung between overhanging trees. Patrons danced in the brick courtyard despite a light rain and 50-degree weather.
This year, 2009, the weather trimmed attendance to about 30,000 people. Evening temperatures in the 50s and a fine mist kept many from attending. But the party went on! Boo Run raised over $200k for burn victims. Good work, Jefferson!
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Jefferson, Texas is the Bed & Breakfast capital of Texas.
Monday, October 12th, 2009
Jefferson, Texas, is the Bed & Breakfast capital of Texas. With more than 50 Bed & Breakfast establishments, this little city of 2000 is the East Texas destination of choice for weekend getaways. The City of Jefferson supports an amazing number of festivals and events that attract thousands of tourists each week. Jefferson’s Bed and Breakfasts offer hundreds of rooms ranging from authentic antebellum accommodations to modern reproduction homes. In any case, visitors enjoy romantic surroundings in this historic setting.
The exact number of Bed & Breakfasts in Jefferson is fluid. Historic homes are often converted to Bed and Breakfasts when new owners take possession. Conversely, Jefferson’s B&Bs are often returned to their original splendor as private homes. Nevertheless, at any given time, Jefferson boasts somewhere between 50 and 80 B&Bs.
Our experience as new residents of this beautiful spot in the Piney Woods has been full of pleasant surprises. While Jefferson retains an authentic small town, Southern/Texan ambiance, it is rife with cosmopolitan attitudes. People here have a worldly perspective that has all but wiped out any hint of provincialism. One sixth-generation Jeffersonian explains, “This is a river port town. At some point, everyone came in on a boat. Jefferson was infused with diverse ideas and cultures from its very beginnings.”
Your trip to Jefferson can be timed to provide any ambiance you desire. Pick a festival weekend, Boo Run Benefit, Mardi Gras Upriver, Candlelight Tour, and many others, when Jefferson hosts up to 40,000 people, for a wild party atmosphere that manages to retain a family-friendly, PG-rated, demeanor. Or, choose a week between events for a quiet, romantic, “step-back-in-time” getaway where you can catch up on personal reflection, couples’ activities, and sauntering strolls down Jefferson’s picturesque streets.
This video is taken from The Hale House Inn’s website and does a good job of communicating some of what Jefferson offers to the casual visitor and prospective resident.
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