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By Butch Burney
Everyone tired of 100-plus-degree weather, raise your hand.
Keep them raised if you’re ready for stew! The weather is guaranteed to be more relaxed on the fourth Thursday of October when we will celebrate the 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank.
T-shirts are now available for just $25 in adult sizes S-XXL at the Chamber office. We will also get other merchandise as the Saturday, October 28, stew date draws closer.
For stew cooks, registration is now available online at HopkinsChamber.org. The cost remains the same for our cooks, a $100 registration fee. You can also pre-order this year’s T-shirt with Stew Cook on the back for just $20 each.
The 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank, has kept its costs down because of our generous businesses in the community, and the price just got even cheaper for some families.
Signature Solar and the Chamber announced last week that children 12 and under will eat free at the festival on Saturday, October 28, due to Signature Solar’s generous sponsorship. Children will still need tickets, which can be obtained online or via paper. Online access, $8 each for everyone 13 years and older, is available at HopkinsChamber.org. In early August, paper tickets will be available at the Chamber and local banks.
One Church announced last week that they would sponsor the Fun Zone, which includes Gellyball, bounce houses, and kids’ games. That means free fun for children!
City National Bank will be sponsoring the Friday night festivities on Friday, October 27, and we will announce that line-up soon.
Thanks to our sponsors who make the stew festival affordable for families in Hopkins County. Follow the Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook accounts for spotlights on our sponsors and updates on the stew festival.
Solar Eclipse
When April 8, 2024, rolls around, get ready!
Almost weekly, someone messages us, calls, or visits saying they will be coming to Hopkins County for the total solar eclipse on that date. They are coming from around the country and literally around the world. Our latest message was from a person in Germany who messaged they would be here for the eclipse.
If you and your business aren’t already thinking about what to do when tens of thousands of visitors are here for that weekend leading up to the Monday eclipse, now is the time to start!
The Chamber is making plans for a weekend market and is looking for sponsors to help us bring a concert to town for the Sunday evening before the eclipse. But, there are plenty of options and opportunities available for all businesses.
If you have an idea or an event, please contact us at the Chamber, and we will help promote it on the website TotalEclipseSSTX.com.
It’s not only time to start planning. It’s time to start getting things ready for our visitors.
Hopkins County Law Enforcement
The Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association will have a Golf Tournament fundraiser at the Sulphur Springs Country Club on Monday, August 21. The four-person teams will tee off at 10:00 am. For sponsor or player information, call Michael Russell at 903-438-4040 or email mrussell@hopkinscountytx.org.
Candidate Forum
A forum for those running for Texas House District 2 is on Saturday, September 9, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Hot dogs and homemade ice cream will be available at 5:00 pm, followed by the candidate forum at 6:30 pm.
District 2 covers Hopkins, Hunt, and Van Zandt counties. If you have questions for the candidates, send them to Donnie Wisenbaker at donwisen@gmail.com, Lance Lenz a Lance.Lenz@ozus.com, or David Hale at davidmhale@mac.com.
Wedding Expo
The DIY Wedding Expo returns to the Civic Center from noon to 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 23. For more information on sponsorships or vendor spaces, contact Tracey Treadway at 214-683-7669 or roadmaptothealtar@gmail.com.