The Howe Area Chamber of Commerce is planning a week-long schedule of events for September 12 through the 16. The city, which was founded in 1872 celebrated their Centennial anniversary in September 1972 with a similar style of week-long activities.
Howe will kick-off the week with an 1870s style western gunfight in Downtown Howe beginning at 6 pm. The event is sponsored by Tomlin Investments. Immediately following the gunfight will be the crowning of the Sesquicentennial Queens in a contest sponsored by Independent Bank. To become a queen contestant, click here. Following the gunfight will be games and desserts at First Baptist Church near downtown. At 7:45 pm at Summit Gardens, an 1870s style Murder Mystery will take place. It is sponsored by Tomlin Investments. Seats are limited to 42 and tickets are available for $18.
On Tuesday, Howe will host a Sesquicentennial Parade where entries to be in the parade are free. To register to be in the parade, click here. The parade is sponsored by Lacey Tucker Fairway Mortgage. The parade route will begin at Howe Middle School/Howe Intermediate School Gym Parking lot and travel down Highway 5 to Bulldog Stadium where there will be a Watermelon Feast sponsored by Cory Hernandez State Farm and Sausage on a Stick by the Howe Athletic Booster Club and shaved ice by Chill Out.
On Wednesday night, churches in Howe have teamed to hold a Community Worship Service at Bulldog Stadium to begin at 7 pm. Community Bible Fellowship’s band will begin the evening with the opening prayer from Summit View’s Brett and Deb Hetrick, The message will be delivered by First Baptist Church’s Roger Tidwell and Community Bible Fellowship’s Jeremy Moore. The new pastor J.B. Bryant of First United Methodist Church will give the closing prayer. An ice cream social at the concession stand will follow the service with Don’s Smokehouse providing ice cream and the ladies of the First United Methodist Church serving. Members of FBC Howe will be handing out water.
On Thursday night, the Chamber will host a dinner sponsored by Legend Bank in Whitewright. The dinner will include a Howe History performance by Howe ISD students. Students will act out important characters in the history of Howe such as Jabez Haning, Walter Thompson, A.M. Ferguson, Mame Roberts, Charles. R. Thompson, Arthur Boyle, Tony Brinkley, L.B. Kirby, and Norman Wallace. They will also tribute important living figures such as Elmer Schenk, Carrie Waller, Jean Norman, and Steve Simmons. Tickets are limited and are $15 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at this link.
Friday night is the homecoming game between Howe at Tioga at Bulldog Stadium. Howe’s first ever official football game was against Tioga on September 20, 1935. Howe has a current 11-game winning streak over Tioga in the series. However, the two teams haven’t met since 1948. Sports video producer Faison Garrett will be on-hand to document the game.
The Howe Area Chamber of Commerce Centennial chairman in 1972 was Bob Walker. The Sesquicentennial chairman is his grandson Monte Walker. For more information, contact the the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce at info@howechamber.com or call 903-532-6080.
