Edith Mincy drives an antique tractor in the 2021 Old Settlers Day Parade. (Alex Driggars/FCR)
FLOYDADA – A reunion is defined as “a social gathering attended by members of a certain group of people who have not seen each other for some time.”
For the Floyd County Pioneers Association, that gathering means the Old Settlers Day. The event, now in its 92nd year is a chance for the people of Floydada, Lockney and all current and former communities of Floyd County to come to the courthouse square and celebrate our collected history.
This week On The Record we’re speaking with Kourtney DeBock, event coordinator for Old Settlers Day, about the event and what we can expect.
On The Record: Kourtney DeBock
DeBock also sent in the following writeup for the event:
Old Settlers is coming up quick and we wanted to share more about what is going on Saturday, May 28th around “The Square”. The Floyd County Pioneer Association has worked hard all year to put together a day for the whole family and are pleased with how this year’s event is shaping up!
As always, we are most excited about the new additions. At 11am there will be bicycle races on the corner of Main and Missouri. Push toy for the one-year old’s, stick horse for up to three years old, three wheelers for the “wee threes”, and bikes and trics for kids preschool to 6th grade (training wheels ok!). Prizes will be awarded to the first 3 places in each division. There is no fee, just be ready to race with your bike on the corner of Main and Missouri at 11am!
Along with a bouncy house, there will also be a 4-N-1 interactive sports game and a boot camp style obstacle course. All the inflatable games will be in a safe, supervised, fenced in area in front of the courthouse. Tickets sales for the kid’s area will go towards the Floydada Animal Shelter and the Floyd County Pioneer Association. Cassandra Garza and volunteers from the Floydada Animal Shelter will be on site with dogs available for adoption. They will also have some silent auction items, drinks, deserts, as well as having a vet tech on site to administer parvo and kennel cough vaccinations. Cassandra will be offering flea pills and collars at a discount; a mobile dog groomer will be on site as well! All pet related purchases will go towards operations for the Floydada Animal Shelter.
Behind the courthouse, the Sheriff’s department will be hosting” human hamster ball” competitions! We are very excited the Sheriffs department will be joining us for the fun this year!
The forecast is calling for a clear, sunny day so what better way to cool off from one of our food vendors specials than with an ice, cold beer. That’s right- for the first time there will be a beer garden! It will be set up on the southeast side of the courthouse under the awning across from the extension office from 11am-4pm (special thanks to ClickClacks, for being our sponsor).
As per tradition, the parade is still on! Along with hundreds of dollars in prize money, the Pioneer Association will also be offering $10 vouchers to be used at any 2022 Old Settlers vendors to the first 150 parade participants. We hope this encourages more parade participation as well as supporting the vendors that will be joining us around “The Square” from 9am-4pm.
As always, the Pioneer Association will be hosting it’s annual meeting at 10:15am under the pavilion. At this meeting they will be electing new officers as well as awarding Pioneer Women and Couple of the year. Come back at 1pm as the Pioneers recognize the oldest man and women present and person traveling the greatest distance.
Don’t forget to register at the Annex. This is for ALL Floyd County residents. Upon registering, you will be entered into a drawing for 1 of 11 Bluetooth speakers. There will also be snacks and refreshments in the Annex for those that register.
The parade will be held at 2:30pm and will be MCed by Tim Assiter. Cash parade awards will be awarded to multiple categories at 3:30pm under the pavilion.
HG DJing will be providing entertainment under the pavilion all day and East Street Band will return to play during the lunch hour. Don’t forget to check out our live auction under the pavilion at 1:15pm, as always, you will find a great selection of trendy local items as well as historical finds from the Kenneth Wyatt collection.
The quilt, bonnet, apron, and flower shows will be taking place in the newly renovated Barrow Building, cash prizes for winners. The museum and genealogy center will also be open to visitors throughout the day. The famous rope maker will be in attendance from 10-2pm. The Cowboy Quick Draw will be returning to “The Square” from 10am-4pm in the old Oden’s showroom.
The Floyd County Pioneer association is looking forward to seeing our residents come together and enjoy a fun-filled day around “The Square”.
Special thanks to Mac Sherman, this year’s Pioneer president and the rest of the board for all the hours volunteered to put on this event. Big thanks to all our sponsors, without their generosity, the Association could not do all that you will see around “The Square” on the 28th. These sponsors will be recognized in the paper following Old Settlers.
For more information about how to participate:
Parade – Ed Warren 806.893.9912
Quilt Show – Ethelyn Vernon 806.652.2525
Flower Show – Karen Thrasher 806.831.1792
Vendor Spaces or general event information – Kortney DeBock 806.392.3826
