Posted by Bruce Bilmes and Sue Boyle
, October 13, 2008 16:46
The very first East Texas Yamboree was held in 1935. At the time, cotton and yams were the big local crops, and they chose yams as the focus of that first festival when the local crop proved to be weevil-free, an unusual and beneficial situation at the time that enabled the yams to be shipped anywhere.
There will be a yam pie contest. The rules stipulate that little or no spice is to be used, and no extra ingredients (nuts, coconut, raisins) are permitted. It’s the yam taste that counts, along with a homemade pie crust. The winning pies are given to the Yamboree royalty, and the rest of them will be sold for $8. There will also be a home canning contest (this includes more than just yams) and a decorated yam contest (must use real yams). The All Service Club Luncheon will be held on Thursday. The big Yamboree Barbeque will take place Saturday.
There will also be antique and classic cars, dancing, live music, a barn dance, a fiddler’s contest, a hobby and craft show, a marching band competition, livestock shows, art shows, a photography show, parades, the Tater Trot, exhibits, a carnival, rides, and the queen’s coronation.
