October 19th, 2010
Just a quick note to highlight another great blog about Jefferson, Texas. Take a look at carriagehousejefferson.com/blog, written by Stephanie Lester, owner of Carriage House Bed & Breakfast with consistently great photos by Tom Lester.
October 5th, 2010
This is it. this Saturday, October 9, is the big day for the Boo Benefit Run in Jefferson. The event goes on all weekend and ranges from Marshall to Uncertain, Texas. There are events at Caddo lake and lak O’ the Pines. But the center of it all if Jefferson.
This little town of less than 2000 people (I know, the road sings say 2100+, but that was ten years ago – we lost our one and only industrial plant since then and lost almost 300 jobs) welcomes over 30,000 bikers with music, food vendors, beer, and more music.
It is a surprisingly well behaved crowd. Boo Run is noted for being a festival to which you can bring your kids. Christian bike clubs attend. There is an enormous law enforcement presence. There have been practically no incidents over the years.
The Boo Run started in 1998 and has grown into one of the nation’s largest motorcycle events. ALL PROCEEDS go to Camp I’m Still Me (formally Louisiana Burn Camp) in providing opportunities for children who are burn survivors. More information about the this camp can be seen at (http://campimstillme.com/).
This is a great event. Come to Jefferson, spend some money for a good cause, support our local businesses and have a great time!
September 29th, 2010
Live jazz, free refreshments, local lovelies in vintage bathing suits, prizes ~ come join the fun!
THIS Saturday, Oct. 2, from 5-7 PM
at Fashion & Art Revival, 116 N. Polk,
Jefferson.
We’re honored to host the Kickoff Party and Membership Drive for Jefferson’s Opera House Theatre Players as they begin their 22nd season!
* Live Music
* Models wearing vintage swimsuits & other oddities
* Popcorn and cold drinks
Party open to the public. This is our opportunity to show appreciation for your patronage and support.
Come – have fun and enjoy a visit with your theatre friends!
This event is free. Membership sign-ups and donations are optional. All proceeds go to support The Opera house Theatre Players of Jefferson.
Call Ellen at Fashion & Art Revival for information – 925-366-7360, cell.
September 19th, 2010
Over the next two weekends Jefferson will host two big motorcycle events and a visit from the Model A Ford Club.
Next weekend, Oct. 1st – 3rd, the 26th Annual Lake O’ the Pines Rallye comes to town (I know, Lake ‘O the Pines is not IN Jefferson, but the lake is a Jefferson “suburb”). And, the Dallas Model A Ford Club will be visiting our little town.
The following weekend is the BIG event, the Boo Benefit Run, that pulls 30,000 or more people to town. For blocks and blocks, the streets are lined with multiple rows of motorcycles. The town sets up multiple stages for music and a tented beer garden. A major fund raising event is the auction of a brand new Harley and trailer. It is an event-filled weekend with runs to various destinations.
With just a little luck the weather this year will encourage even more people to town. We are due for an autumn cooling and can hope for bright, clear weekends.
September 15th, 2010
October 21, 22 & 23rd at the Kelleyville Community Center
(4 miles West of Jefferson on Hiway 49)
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 is a pig chase, a greased pole climb, syrup sompin’ contests, chicken judging, and wood cutting events. Men, women, boys and girls, young and old compete, laugh, and cheer. Everyone has a great time. 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.
21st and 22nd are mostly for organized school field trips. The big public day is Saturday, October 23rd - 6 AM – 5 PM
| Schedule:
6 AM – Country Breakfast |
Entertainment:
County Fair Idol |
| Hot Air Balloon County Fair Idol Jolly Jumper Chili Cook Off Syrup Sompin’ Competition Hot Dog Eating Contest Scholarship Raffle Cow Plop ($500 cash prize!) Chicken Drop |
Greased Pole Climb Farmyard Petting Zoo Tug ‘O War (age groups – challenges) Woodlands Contest (2-person crosscut & chainsaw) Scavenger Hunt Library Pumpkin Patch Horseback Riding Children’s Rodeo Games Pig Chase |
"Jefferson?! It's just my favorite city in all of Texas!" Jefferson is a wonderful place to live and an interesting tourist getaway destination. History, beauty, romance, ghosts, charm, and convenience are all aspects of life in Jefferson.
In 2008, my wife, Ellen, and I started investigating East Texas via the web. We looked at tourism sites, homes for sale, news articles, demographics, events, and festivals. In each category, we kept finding great examples in Jefferson. But, being urbanites from the San Francisco Bay Area in California, we were unsure whether a city of 2000 people could possibly offer the stimulus we need in order to thrive. The city had a lot going on, but could it possibly be as wonderful as it looked from our remote perspective? Finally, we called our sister-in-law, who lives in Longview. "Have you ever heard of the little town, Jefferson?" Her response, "Jefferson?! It's just my favorite city in all of Texas!" has been our mantra ever since.
By April, 2009 we had secured a home and started moving our lives here. We relocated our home and two businesses to Jefferson. At about the same time, our youngest daughter, Sara, decided that it was simply illogical to spend another winter in Chicago. She packed her belongings, cleaned out her cute little flat, quit her jobs (3!) and headed for Jefferson and our guest room. Her intension was to lodge with us for a short while and relocate, probably to Dallas, Houston, or Austin. To our surprise, it took only a week or so for Sara to decide, Jefferson was to be her new home. She loved it as much as did we.
This site has two purposes. We wish to reflect what we value about Jefferson so that you can follow our journey and possibly be inspired to pull stakes and take off for your dream destination as did we. Secondly, we want to promote the City of Jefferson. Our beloved city is a tourist town. We need you to visit, often. We also hope for an upward trend in permanent population. Decades ago, Jefferson enjoyed a population of over 30,000. As the world changed, so did Jefferson. Our population of approximately 2000 fits almost entirely into our 200 antebellum homes in the historic district and a few surrounding neighborhoods.
Consider Jefferson, Texas for your next excursion. You will find a place of beauty. You may find home.
