Inaugural Pioneer Days this weekend

By Marcia Thomas

Special to the Jimplecute

Don’t be surprised if you feel you’re in a different century in Jefferson  this weekend because it will be “back to the earliest days” as the community showcases a first-ever Pioneer Days Festival, Sept. 4- 6.

Founded as a project of the Opera House Theatre Players (OHTP), the idea was to bring world renown musical group, The Sons of the Pioneers, for a Labor Day concert.

According OHTP Director Marcia Thomas, the excitement and anticipation of such big name group gave birth to the idea of expanding the event beyond the boundaries of a one-day concert. 

“That’s when the theatre board members put their ideas together and came up with an entire weekend of activities geared to not only attract attention for the concert but create a festival

that would hold people in town for the last long weekend of the summer,” Marcia said.  

After organizing a working committee made up of board member and community volunteers, the committee set about soliciting donations and service donations to the non-profit group that would fund an event of three days. 

 “They have been greatly pleased and gratified to see so many businesses and individuals were really interested in supporting Jefferson tourism with this idea,” Thomas said. “We’ve been able to make it all free except the concert. The perfect event for all the family. We have been blessed.”

The festivities will begin on Saturday, Sept. 4, with a parade at 10 a.m. that will be comprised of horseback riders, wagons and walkers in period costume.  

Thomas said one local resident, Howard Blatch, will wear an exact replica uniform worn on the Lewis and Clark Expedition that started in 1803 to explore the New Louisiana Purchase or The New Frontier. 

Another participant will be the Bayou Trailblazers Trail Riding Group who will be in period costume as they ride. 

A covered wagon with costumed passengers is also expected to be part of the parade.  

A trophy and prize will be awarded to the most authentic costume.

Following the parade at 11:30 a.m., the re-enactment of an historical shooting incident that occurred in the wagon yard of downtown Jefferson in 1906 will be performed in the spot where it actually happened.  

OHTP board member Jim Blackburn will portray Sheriff Will S. Terry and theatre member Mark McKay will play the Deputy who “went bad,” Charlie Proctor.  

A narrator will read briefly read the background of the shooting to the audience and several theatre members will appear as some of the citizens who witnessed the event. 

The idea to do the re-enactment came from Thomas who had been told of the incident by her grandfather and his twin brother many decades back.  

The two were witnesses of shooting as young teenagers.

At noon, singer Ann Leslie of Marshall will entertain with country songs at the Otstott Gazebo.

Leslie writes her own music and accompanies herself with recorded background music geared for all ages.

At 6 p.m., the crowds will be steered toward the east end block of Austin Street where a street dance will play until 8 p.m. with music by the award-winning group Sheila and the Caddo Kats.  

There will be some seating available and beverages will be available from nearby businesses.

On Sunday, Sept. 5, a cook-out with barbeque and beans will be served beginning noon at the grassy  riverfront area near the stagecoach and horse display courtesy of the Collins Institute.

Entertainment will begin at noon and continue until 4 p.m.  

Scheduled to perform are cowboy singer John Nance, Ann Leslie and Riley Cox (pending availability).  

The Players will also squeeze in a brief audition period beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Transportation Building lobby front to cast two upcoming productions.

Monday, Sept. 6 is the date for the much-anticipated concert by the Sons of the Pioneers who will present a show of just under 2 hours followed by an autograph and photo session with the audience.  

The group’s latest CDs will also be available for purchase.

VIP tickets are sold out but some general seating tickets at $25/person are still available online at www.JeffersonOperaHouseTheatrePlayers.com or at The Willow Tree 903-601-4515.  

“If there are any left, tickets may be sold at the door on a first-come, first-served basis,” Thomas said.