Labor Day weekend played host to a new festival in downtown Jefferson.
Sponsored by the Opera House Theatre Players (OHTP), the inaugural Jefferson Pioneer Days featured kicked-off a parade with wagons, horseback riders and walkers.
Evelyn Rene Matthews of Texarkana, Arkansas won a trophy and a gift certificate
from the Jefferson Nail and Spa. She earned the award for her costume as an early Texas pioneer.
Other notable parade entries were Shawn and Demetrious Thurman, from Lodi, in two separate wagons with passengers; Larry Bearden and family on horseback; the Bayou Trailblazers; walker Howard Blatch;
and Jane Maddix, Sara Davis, Ann Leslie, and her granddaughter, Isabella.
Following the parade, a crowd gathered for the re-enactment of one of the town’s most infamous gunfights between the then Sheriff Will S. Terry and his Deputy, Charlie Proctor.
It was held in the original location of the incident.
KTAL-TV, Ch. 6 of Shreveport videoed the shoot-out and interviewed a number
of audience members.
The story aired later that night during the station’s newscast.
A singing pioneer in the person of Ann Leslie entertained at Otstott Park.
Later that evening, a western street dance was held on the east end of Austin Street.
Entertainment was provided by Sheila and the Caddo Kats.
On Sunday, a barbeque cook-out with entertainment was held on the riverfront near downtown.
The free food was given to those who wandered up from the downtown area and entertainment was provided by Johnny Riverrat, Ann Leslie and Riley Cox.
Legendary recording artists, the Sons of the Pioneers, offered a festival final concert at the Transportation Building.
According to OHTP director Marcia Thomas, visitors from as far away as Missouri, Wisconsin and Arkansas.
Thomas said OHTP board members were so pleased with the outcome of this first attempt that they are already thinking of what they can put together for next year’s Pioneer Days weekend.