State Fair of Texas Announces More New Attractions for 2024 Fair
State Fair of Texas Announces More New Attractions for 2024 Fair; An exclusive drone show, a resident chef, baby dinosaurs, and more.
September 6, 2024 – The State Fair of Texas is excited to announce MORE new attractions as part of the free entertainment lineup of the 2024 State Fair. Elevate your visit to the Most Texan Place on Earth by adding these must-see additions to your itinerary. With less than a month away till the 2024 State Fair of Texas, start planning your visit and view the full attractions lineup at BigTex.com/Attractions.
From Thursday, October 3, to Sunday, October 6, State Fair of Texas attendees will witness the first-ever drone show at the Fair, Stars Over Texas, a Four-Night Drone Show event presented by Ford. Come see Big Tex in the sky for this limited-time attraction at the Fair. All four nightly shows will begin immediately after the Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation at approximately 8:25 p.m. The drone shows are produced in partnership with Coppell-based Sky Elements.
Get ready to rock with the newest addition to the Fringe Stage, Steve Goodtime! Performing gnarly guitar solos with wild stunts, this show is guaranteed to thrill every fairgoer. Guitar amp rola bola, dangerous thingy juggling, hotdog magic, and fitting into tiny leopard print pants are just a few of the unbelievable things you’ll see.
Attend Dino Time with Professor T. Tex and his dino-wrangler at the lagoon as they bring their favorite dinosaurs through his time machine to meet fairgoers. This show is intended for children under ten years old and will give them an opportunity to meet small dinosaurs.
Step into the culinary spotlight at the Creative Arts Cooking Demonstrations in the kitchen with Cutco, where our brand-new State Fair resident chef, Pete Nolasco, performs live demos daily at the State Fair of Texas. Chef Pete first got involved with the State Fair of Texas while completing his culinary apprenticeship in 1991. Over the years he has continued the relationship, returning as competition judge and celebrity chef for a cooking demonstration in 2016. In addition to these exciting roles, he has also participated in ice carving competitions and even assisted with the 2013 Guinness World Record butter sculpture. Watch as he crafts mouthwatering dishes, shares insider tips, and invites the audience to participate in an immersive gourmet experience like no other. From beginners to seasoned cooks, everyone can savor the excitement and take home culinary inspiration!
While enjoying Creative Arts demonstrations or competing in a cooking competition in the Creative Arts Building, join our emcees as we play State Fair of Texas Lotería! Lotería is a traditional Mexican board game of chance, similar to bingo, but is played with a deck of cards. Every image in the game is inspired by some of the most iconic State Fair and Texas symbols.
Experience the unique artistry of Chad Kilpatrick as he skillfully carves raw wood into stunning sculptures with his chainsaw and other common power tools. Don’t miss the Chainsaw Carver and his one-of-a-kind demonstration outside the Children’s Aquarium on First Avenue!
Suit up in your best lederhosen or dirndl and visit the Texas Discovery Gardens’ paid attraction, a traditional German Biergarten. Inside the air conditioned garten you will find communal tables, rustic decor, and a festive atmosphere that transports you to a vibrant Bavarian beer hall. Indulge in authentic German beers, a selection of mouth-watering German delights, including sausages, sauerkraut, pretzels, tangy German mustards, and soft drinks. State Fair of Texas Season Pass holders and Texas Discovery Gardens members can enjoy this experience free of charge!
These are just a few brand-new highlights of the more than 100 daily activities you and your family receive free access to with admission to the 2024 State Fair of Texas. To start planning your visit, visit BigTex.com/Plan. Premium daily admission tickets are now available for purchase at BigTex.com/Tickets. The 2024 State Fair of Texas will kick off on Friday, September 27, and run through Sunday, October 20, 2024. Join us for “24 Days of Fun” at the Most Texan Place on Earth!
**Updated** Suspect Sought in Vicinity of Pipeline Road
September 6, 2024 – A suspect is in custody as of late Friday after a long day of playing cat and mouse as police were looking for a male suspect that fled on foot after running off Pipeline Road ending a car chase. The suspect now sits in the Hopkins County Jail awaiting his bail to be set on the charge of Evading Arrest.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department and other local authorities are currently on the hunt for a suspect after a vehicle chase. The suspect is believed to be in the vicinity of Pipeline Road, maybe towards the area of Weaver Drive. The suspect that is described as a white male, wearing blue jeans and no shirt. Anyone having any information of the whereabouts of the suspect is urged to dial 911.
Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center 2024 Olympics to Take Place September 13th
September 5, 2024 – The 2024 Senior Olympics will take place at the new Senior Activity Center, located at 301 Oak Avenue, Sulphur Springs, Texas. The fierce competition begins Friday, September 13th, 2024, at 11:00am. If you plan to compete you must RSVP by calling 903-558-1211. The first 100 people to sign up get a free tee shirt. A free lunch will be served. Some of the exciting competitions include axe throwing, darts, cornhole, a 1K race, and so much more! Come on over and enjoy the fun!
CHRISTUS Health Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Sulphur Springs Hospital, Announces Expansion
September 5, 2024 – (SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas) – CHRISTUS Health celebrated the 75th anniversary of Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs on Thursday with a ceremony and announcement of a $25 million hospital expansion.
The hospital, in partnership with the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation and community partners, is investing in a two-phase hospital expansion, which includes adding nearly 8,000 square feet to the surgical wing and a new clinic building that will house orthopedics, gastroenterology and interventional pain specialists.
“We have seen unbelievable growth, and we are not going to stop,” said hospital President Paul Harvey. “We are committed to providing first-class health care and we are excited for the future.”
The expanded surgical wing will include eight operating rooms, a changing lounge, 13 additional post-op recovery area, 19 pre-op rooms and new surgical suites that will be larger and able to accommodate the latest technology, including robotic surgical systems.
“We are going to be on par with the major urban facilities in what we will be able to do surgically,” Harvey said. “We will be able to see more patients, reduce wait times and provide the services our community deserves.”
The hospital opened as Memorial Hospital in 1949. The original facility was located on North Davis Street, before moving to its current location on Airport Road in 1968 and being renamed Hopkins County Memorial Hospital.
In 2016, CHRISTUS Health acquired the hospital and renamed it CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
“I think of the amazing work that we have been able to do during our lifetime, and it really is incredible,” Harvey said.
Among those in attendance were state Sen. Bryan Hughes and state Rep. Jill Dutton, who praised the hospital’s growth and ability to provide health care to rural areas.
They presented Harvey with a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office, highlighting the anniversary of the hospital.
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Chamber Connection – September 4, 2024
By Butch Burney
Do you want to get your company’s name in front of 7,000 people, and help promote the largest single-day annual event in Hopkins County?
If so, there are still a handful of sponsorships available for the 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest on Oct. 26.
With your sponsorship, we will put your banner up at Buford Park, announce your company’s name from the stage as well as signs/banners with sponsors’ names on them. We have sponsorships from $100 to $1,200 remaining.
If you would like more information, email [email protected] or call 903-885-6515.
We are continuing to register stew cooks as well.
Stew cooks – new and returning – can register online at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks, or in person at the Chamber office, 110 Main St.
We are keeping the registration fee the same as in past years at $100 per stew site, with the sponsor asked to provide $150 to each cooking team for ingredients.
If you have been a Stew Cook in the past, we look forward to seeing you again and tasting your delicious stew. If you have won the contest in the past, you are eligible to enter the Super Stew competition.
Each returning stew team will have the option of keeping their 2023 site. These sites will be reserved until Monday, September 30, and then on Tuesday, October 1, the “unclaimed” stew sites will be open to “new cooks” and to returning cooks who would like a new site location. After Sept. 30, all sites will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. As in 2023, we will have sites open on both the north and the south side of Connally Street, where we will have a serving tent and market vendors.
Cocktails and Conversation
Join us for our main networking monthly event when Beauty Grace Lifestyle Shop hosts our Cocktails and Conversation on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the store on Connally Street.
You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend. It is free to everyone, and a prime time to make friends and contacts.
Please make plans to attend to enjoy some cocktails, snacks and great conversation.
Old Time Rally
The Hopkins County Republican Party will host a rally at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Hopkins County Civic Center, featuring Rafael Cruz (father of US Senator Ted Cruz, and Troy Jackson. There will be free hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream.
For more information, contact Brent Barclay at 903-348-1411.
Quilt Show
The Lone Star Heritage Quilt Show is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21 at the ROC on Putman Street. Numerous projects will be on display, and one special quilt will be up for raffle during the event.
One Soul Yoga’s 5th Birthday Celebration
One Soul Yoga is beyond excited to celebrate their 5th birthday with you! Join them for a week-long celebration filled with specials, giveaways, special classes and a birthday celebration sound bath experience. They will have a different special each day during that week including free classes, bring-a-friend free, pop-up classes, discounts on passes and merchandise and more.
The Birthday Celebration schedule includes:
9/22 Bring a Friend Free/BOGO for Restorative at 6 pm
9/23: Yin on the Wall Pop-Up Class at 6 pm
9/24 $5 Drop-ins for all classes (at the door)
9/25 Birthday Sound Bath Celebration at 8 pm
9/26 Soul Closet Merchandise Sale (in person)
9/27 Pass Discounts
9/28 Free Saturday Flow class at 9 am
One Soul Yoga & Wellness Center is a local, women-owned yoga studio welcoming all levels and all genders–no matter where you are on your journey. Get more information or sign up at www.onesoulyogastudio.com. Questions? Email [email protected].
Mammography Coach
Hunt Regional Healthcare’s Tubby Adkisson Mobile Mammography Coach will be at the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs on Sept. 26.
All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted at the mammography coach, including Medicaid and Medicare. For those not using insurance, reduced prepaid pricint of $200 for a 3D mammograph is available.
To schedule a screening for mammograms or bone density, call 903-408-5010.
Ribbon Cuttings
The Hopkins County Republican Party headquarters will have a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the office at 1230 South Broadway St. Everyone is invited.
Texas Tropic Pools will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Monday, Sept. 9, at the Chamber office, 110 Main St. Please join us for this event.
Stacy Davis, MS, will host a ribbon cutting for her counseling service at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Chamber office at 110 Main St. Everyone is invited to attend.
Hopkins County United Way will have a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Chamber office, 110 Main St. Please join us for this event.
City Managers Report September 3rd 2024
CLAIMS –
We did not have any worker’s compensation claims or liability claims in August.
We submitted a claim to TML for vehicle damage resulting from a minor accident involving 2 fleet vehicles.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN –
We have been awarded the $250,000 grant to help pay for the comprehensive plan, and the grant contract is signed. Staff is preparing a request for qualifications to distribute to planning firms in September.
HOLIDAY DRIVE –
Water and sewer lines are completed. Underground drainage is also completed. The Capital Construction Division is now replacing the curb and gutter that was approved at the August city council meeting. The 12” bore across IH-30 is completed and the contractor is pressure testing the line now.
After Holiday Drive Capital Construction crews will move to Alabama Street and Thermo for water main and sewer main installation.
WASTEWATER CHLORINE CONTACT CHAMBER –
This $2.2 million project will repurpose a former (abandoned) sand filter turning it into a chlorine contact chamber. Chlorine contact time is a bottleneck at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The WWTP has a rated capacity of 5.4 MGD. Staff believes we can increase the capacity to 10 MGD when the project is completed. The increase will require TCEQ approval, but staff thinks it is feasible. The project is being funded from the Enterprise Fund balance. Staff has published a request for qualifications for an engineering firm. We expect to have the recommended engineering firm on the November city council agenda for your approval.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PLAN (SIP) –
Following is the list of streets to be repaved in the 2024 Street Improvement Program. The highlighted streets have been completed. Weaver and Shook were completed in August. All the remains are a few asphalt repairs.
| Street | Between | Length |
| League | Asphalt Repairs | 1000 |
| League | Connally to KCS Rail | 1200 |
| W.A. | MLK to end | 2223 |
| Cranford | Robertson to Beasley | 1287 |
| S. Moore | Bellview to Tate | 449 |
| Oak | Gilmer to College | 3446 |
| Pollard | Mulberry to end | 211 |
| N. Davis | Glover to Airport | 1728 |
| Kirtley | Bellview to Nicholson | 412 |
| Ninth | Woodlawn to VanSickle | 845 |
| Carter | Bill Bradford to Whitworth | 2000 |
| Henderson | Craig to League | 449 |
| Melony | Azalea to end | 1215 |
| Jennings | Jefferson to College | 929 |
| Beckworth | Whitworth to Beckham | 690 |
| Sharon | W. Industrial to W. Pampa | 803 |
| Spence | Lemon to Carter | 639 |
| Weaver | Jackson to Teer | 2877 |
| Shook | Weaver to Jefferson | 536 |
| Jacobs | Houston to Bonner | 848 |
| 23,787 |
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES –
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present the usual report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Responded to 254 fire/rescue calls including 2 structure fires, 8 vehicle fires and 13 grass fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 78 fire hydrants.
- Performed 15 fire inspections.
- Repaired 194 potholes.
- Made 18 extensive street repairs following utility cuts.
Replaced 17 stop signs. - Hauled street sweeper spoils to the landfill.
- Shredded around Lake Sulphur Springs.
- Checked out 3,951 items from the Library plus 1,165 eBooks.
- Performed 69 building inspections, 24 electrical inspections, 17 plumbing inspections, and 5 mechanical inspections.
- Issued 41 building permits and 55 trade permits.
- Made electrical repairs to the Hopkins Count Veterans Memorial. • Programmed all school zone lights.
- Repaired ac units at city hall.
- Performed preventative maintenance to the wastewater belt press and various other apparatuses.
- Treated effluent to a daily average total suspended solids reading of 0.29 mg/L. • Hauled 185 tons of sludge to the landfill.
- Repaired 20 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 16 water meters.
- Unstopped 10 sewer mains.
- Drained and cleaned #2 clear well at the water treatment plant. • Installed 2 mixers in clear well.
- Operated Cooper Lake Pump Station on backup power for 7 hours. • Flushed 37 dead-end water mains.
- Responded to 200 animal control calls while maintaining an adoption rate of 88%. • Made 5 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 17 accidents, issued 550 citations, recorded 40 offences and made 47 arrests in the Patrol Division.
- Responded to 2,365 calls in the Patrol Division.
- Sold 2,442 gallons of AvGas and 11,262 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Accommodated 1,839 flight operations at the airport.
- Power washed sidewalks downtown.
- Treated all grass areas for army worms.
- Held 81 activities for seniors.
- Installed 600 feet of French drain on Soccer Field 6.
- Secured a grant to upgrade field lighting at Coleman Park.
- Secured funding for new scoreboards
Dinner Bell for September 11, 2024
The history of Guaranty Bank & Trust encompasses over 110 years; through wars, an economic depression, the financial crisis, and a world-wide pandemic. Success has been achieved by providing communities it serves with a bank that believes in investing in people; not just credit scores; succeeding with the community for its growth as well as the banks’ growth. All employees are encouraged to make a positive impact in the communities in which they serve. Guaranty Bank & Trust has been named one of the “Best Companies to Work for in Texas” by Texas Monthly Magazine for over thirteen years.
The employees and officers have membership in the service clubs of Sulphur Springs; the Healthcare Foundation; CASA; and Sulphur Springs I.S.D. Board. These are just a few of the local interests of Guaranty Bank & Trust. If it happens in Sulphur Springs, Guaranty Bank & Trust has its hand in it!
Grab and Go with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway (Porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus starting around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU:
Baked Spaghetti
Marinated Vegetables
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread Slices
Chocolate Cherry Cake
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst!
Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Dial Study Club to put on Homecoming Parade September 9th
September 5, 2024 – The Dial Study Club of Sulphur Springs will host a Homecoming Parade for the Wildcats on Monday, September 9th, 2024. The parade is scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. Come on out and show off your true Sulphur Springs Wildcat Colors and cheer on the battling blue!
Funding Opportunities Available to East Texas Landowners for Prescribed Burning
September 5, 2024 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M Forest Service is offering more than $800,000 in grants to help East Texas landowners offset the cost of prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risks and restore ecosystems.
The grant application is now available for eligible landowners conducting prescribed burns on their property by certified and insured prescribed burn managers. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30. Eligible landowners may receive reimbursement for up to $30 per acre for the costs of the prescribed burn, but rates may vary.
Available grants in this application cycle include the Neches River and Cypress Basin Watershed Restoration Program (NRCBW), Community Protection Program (CPP) and State Fire Capacity near Federal lands in East Texas Prescribed Fire Grant (SFC-ETX).
Prescribed fire is a land management practice with numerous benefits, including the reduction of wildfire hazards, habitat restoration and soil health improvement. The allocation of grant funds will prioritize wildfire hazard mitigation that emphasizes the protection of homes, communities and natural ecosystems.
“Prescribed fire is the most cost-effective method to manage the understory vegetation and dead fuel that accumulates in our forests over time,” said Andy McCrady, Texas A&M Forest Service Program Coordinator. “Heavy spring rains in East Texas increased the summer fuel growth, so using prescribed burns in winter and spring 2025 will help reduce wildfire risks before the next season of drought.”
Last year, Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire grant programs awarded more than $293,000 to landowners across the state to assist with treating 10,969 acres of privately owned land.
Texas A&M Forest Service does not conduct these prescribed burns. Grant recipients must be licensed or utilize a contractor who is licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture as a certified and insured prescribed burn manager.
To determine eligibility and access the online application for the NRCBW, CPP and SFC-ETX grants, visit http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/cppgrant/.
For additional grant programs available to Texas landowners, please visit https://texasforestinfo.tamu.edu/fundingconnector/.
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San Diego Border Patrol Flies Illegal Aliens to Texas
A California official is warning that illegal aliens are being flown from San Diego to McAllen on taxpayers’ dime.
Will Biagini – September 3, 2024
The city of San Diego, California, has reportedly been overrun by illegal aliens. Now, they are being flown into Texas.
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond sounded the alarm on the social media platform X.
He asserted that because Border Patrol facilities in San Diego have reached capacity, illegal aliens are frequently being flown from the California city into McAllen, Texas.
According to Desmond, illegal aliens cross the border into San Diego, surrender to Border Patrol, are taken to a processing center, and then are transported by bus to an airport where they are flown to McAllen.
Desmond told Texas Scorecard that due to California’s status as a sanctuary state, its illegal alien processing facilities are at maximum capacity and can no longer handle the influx.
“Because of that, Border Patrol agents are flying migrants to other places in the country—predominantly to Texas,” he said.
“The border is still being overwhelmed, yet this administration continues to allow thousands into this country, further straining our resources and security,” Desmond posted on X.
This comes as overall illegal encounters at the southwest border continue to decline.
A report from the Center for Immigration Studies posits that the Mexican government is transporting illegal aliens in Northern Mexico down to cities such as Tapacula, which sits on the border of Guatemala.
Mexico is also destroying illegal alien encampments that sit on the Mexican side of the U.S. border. One example is in Matamoros across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas.
“A source close to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s foreign operations division in Mexico told me one element of the Biden proposal is that AMLO [Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador] slow the flow only until after the November election,” wrote CIS’ Todd Bensman.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not respond to Texas Scorecard‘s inquiry as of publication.
This article originally appeared here.
