What’s Happening in Cherokee County

The Cherokeean Herald welcomes announcements for publication in our weekly edition. Please submit calendar information by noon Friday for publication in the following Wednesday’s edition of our paper. Send information to news@thecherokeean.com.

MARCH 24

Deadline to order the 2021 Tomato Fest Souvenir T shirt for the 37th annual event is Wednesday, March 24. For more information, call 903-586-2217, email info@jacksonvilletexas.com or visit www.jacksonvilletexas.com.

Curtis Grimes will perform live, 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at the Cherokee County Show Barn, 611 SE Loop 456 in Jacksonville, with a message delivered by Trail to Christ to Cowboy Church’s Stacy Halbert. The concert is sponsored by the Cowboy Churches of Cherokee County.

MARCH 22-24
A free virtual marriage retreat for veteran and military couples is offered from 7 to 9 p.m. nightly, Monday through Wednesday, March 22-24. Strengthen your relationship with real tools for real couples; event is led by a veteran couple. For more details or to register, visit www.marriagemanagement.org or call 682-730-1818.

MARCH 24-27

The Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show is back! From March 24 through March 27, area youth will compete in 15 different categories at the expo center, 611 SE Loop 456 in Jacksonville.

MARCH 25

This month’s Rusk Chamber of Commerce Business Associates Social Hour (B.A.S.H.) will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, March 25, at the Rusk KOA Holiday, 745 FM 343 East.

City of Jacksonville officials will offer a State of the City presentation, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at Peoples Church, 14089 U.S. Highway 79 East in Jacksonville. The gathering will take place in the church’s multipurpose building.

MARCH 27

A Spring Arts Fair, slated from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 27, at the VFW Post 3984 Hall, 201 Memorial Dr. in Jacksonville, offers an array of handmade arts and crafts, boutique and refurbished and vintage finds. For more information, call 903-810-4023 or email danielsbrendal1952@gmail.com

County Road Rescue will host its inaugural Spring FurFest, from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Commerce Street Draft House, 401 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville. A number of outdoor vendors will be set up at the venue, with a supply drive going on, live entertainment, drawings and a silent auction. Suggested donated items include paper towels, laundry soap, bleach, pet food – both wet and dry –, treats, dish soap, trash bags, blankets cat litter and toys.

Lake Striker Resort will host a Crappie Family Event, from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at 18560 County Road 4256 South in Reklaw. Contestant with the largest crappie takes the winner’s prize; tournament fee is $5 per person, with sign-up at the bait house. A Dollar Backyard Carnival will be held simultaneously, with $1 games set up; proceeds will benefit local schools, organizations and churches. No fees will be charged for setting up as part of the carnival, and prizes will be awarded for the best decorated booths. To learn more, call 281-703-3739.

The East Texas Square and Round Dance Association will host a fashion show, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 110 N. Line St. in Palestine. For more information, contact event chairs Linda and Gary Carlile, 903-277-8684.

MAR. 30

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will host its annual banquet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, at Central Baptist Church, 1909 E. Rusk St. Honorees include the 2020 Outstanding Citizen, Businessman and Businesswoman, Rookie of the Year, Unsung Hero, Chairman’s Award and Division Chair of the Year. Cost is $30 per member, $35 for prospective members and $250 for a reserved table of 8. Contact the Chamber at 903-586-2217 or visit www.jacksonville Texas.com for more information.

APRIL 1

Story-time returns to the Bullard Community Library on Thursday, April 1. Two sessions will be held: At 11 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m., no preregistration necessary. Pre-packaged crafts are available to take home. Meanwhile, to volunteer as a reader or for craft preparation, call 903-894-6125 or email director@bullardlibrary.org.

The Cherokee County Conservative Club (formerly the Cherokee County Texas Republican Club) will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 1,at Rancho Grande Restaurant, 705 S. Jackson in Jacksonville. Brandon Waltens of Texas Scorecard will be guest speaker. Members and the public are encouraged to attend.

APRIL 3

Peoples Church of Jacksonville will host an Egg-Streme Drive-Thru, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 3, at the 14089 East U.S. Highway 79 church. Kits with candy-filled eggs will be distributed, with the firt 500 youths receiving a free ice cream coupon.

Texas State Railroad will host an “Easter Egg Express” train on Saturday, April 3, in Palestine. The 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ride travels to the magical land of Easter Egg Fun, where activities include a traditional egg hunt. To learn more, visit https://texasstaterailroad.net/events/easter-egg-express/ to book your seats now!

APRIL 10

The 17th Annual Gallatin Gopher Fest will be held April 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Gallatin Community Center. Activities include a talent contest, cake walks, drawings, silent auction and putt-putt golf. The Gallatin Volunteer Fire Department will be selling their famous barbecue and baked potatoes. Vendor booths are available for $35; spacing is recommended and precautions taken to ensure pandemic protocols. Contact Mayor Kathy Dethlefs, 903-363-7965, to learn more, or email cityofgallatin@yahoo.com. Vendor forms available online, www.gallatintexas.com.

Jacksonville High School National Honor Society will host its 2021 Honors Review 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at the high school auditorium. Admission is $5 at the door; masks required to attend.

The City of Rusk will host a a city-wide clean-up day on Saturday, April 10. Dumpsters will be set up at the city barn located at 511 S. Dickinson St. Additionally, volunteers are sought to pick up trash around the city, with bags of trash collected by city workers. A list of items that are accepted or not include will be issued as the day of the event nears.

APRIL 17

The 2021 Bullard Spring Fling and Family Fun Day will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17, in downtown Bullard. The daylong event will feature a number of family-friendly events, with more information available at www.bullardchamber.com.

The Cherokee County Master Gardeners Association are happy to announce the return of its annual Spring Plant Sale, this year slated from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17. The event will be held at Jacksonville’s Ruth B. Nichols Arboretum, 1015 E. Loop 456.

APRIL 17-18

The City of Alto will host a city-wide clean-up the weekend of April 17-18. More details to come.

MAY 1

The first annual taco cook-off sponsored by Commerce Street Drafthouse, will be held Saturday, May 1, at 401 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville. Participants will compete in beef, chicken, ground beef and open classes, with prizes including first, second and People’s Choice in each category. To learn more, contact Robert, 903-721-8169, or BB at 903-352-4459.

MAY 7-9

The Cherokee Civic Theatre will present “Love, Sex & the IR$,” a tale about love, money and assumed identity, May 7-9. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee offered on Sunday.

MAY 13-15

The 59th annual Tops in Texas PRCA Rodeo will be held May 13-15 in Jacksonville, with a free family night planned Thursday, May 13. To learn more, visit www.TopsInTexasRodeo.com or visit the Facebook page, “TopsInTexasRodeo.

MAY 15

A Chapel Market Day is slated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at 3620 FM 1857 in Rusk, sponsored by Baughs’ Market and Specialty Foods. The free event features vendors, food and fun.

MAY 27

Lake Striker Resort will host a Backyard Carnival as part of its March 27 Crappie Fish Tournament. The carnival benefits the various organizations that participate, with games priced a $1 or less. Resort officials will host a decorating contest, with prizes awarded to the best three decorated booths. Email lakestrikerresort@gmail.com to reserve a booth.

MAY 29

The 33rd annual Fair on the Square will be held Saturday, May 29, on the courthouse square in Rusk, with food, fun and entertainment on tap.

Lake Striker Resort will host a Memorial Day Celebration, beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 29, at the 18560 South CR 4256 resort in Reklaw. The evening includes fireworks and an outdoor concert featuring Casey Martin Band and special guest Committed Cowboy Band. Entry to the family event is $10 for ages 13 and older; no charge for those younger than 12, with tickets available at the gate or online at www.stubwire.com.

JUNE 5

Jacksonville Education Foundation will host a fishing tournament 6 a.m. to noon, Saturday, June 5, on Lake Jacksonville; a $150 fee will be assessed per each 2-man team. Proceeds will fund scholarships and classroom grants. Interested sponsors may contact stephanie.mcneill@jisdfoundation.org.

JUNE 5-12

The city’s annual Tomato Fest – now in its 37th year – returns to Jacksonville, with a week packed full of activity from June 5-12. Events include a farmers’ market, tomato-eating contest, car show, farm to table, arts & crafts and more.