2018 parade winners named
Sixty-four entries, including floats, antique vehicles, wagons, horses and riders, fire trucks, and longhorns braved temperatures in the triple digits last Saturday afternoon to take part in the 2018 Fort Griffin Fandangle Parade.
Some of the horse-drawn wagons and old cars only went through town once, and then opted to drop out because of the heat, and the blacksmith shop/horseshoeing float pulled out because of hitch problems.
Parade Lineup
The parade was led down Main Street by Louann George playing the calliope, a Fandangle parade tradition.
Parade marshal Jon Rex Jones rode in the surrey donated to the Fandangle by Juanita Brooks’ family, pulled by a team of horses owned by Clifford Teinert and driven by Reanee LaBonte.
The Six White Horses from Hardin-Simmons were once again in the procession, and included Lauren Willen, a local rider who is a former member of the well-known equestrian performing troupe.
“Former riders frequently fill in when needed, and this was our second parade of the day,” said Willen.
Members of the Fandangle flag parade, young riders, sidesaddle ladies, and most of the rolling stock from the show joined the cavalcade.
Parade entries were announced to the crowds by Pam Davis. Roy Burl Oliver provided the sound system.
“This was Roy Burl’s 38th year of service to the Fandangle Parade, and we gave him a Mike Whitmore knife as a thank you gift for all of his help through the years,” said parade chairman John Ayers. “He is in his 80s, but he says that he plans to help us for at least two more years.”
Jon Rex Jones
Jon Rex Jones was this year’s Parade Marshal.
Jones is a local oilman, and although he is not in the show this year, he is a longtime member of the cast and a big supporter of the Fandangle.
“I’ve been in it since I was a child,” Jones said. “My mother was in it, and so were other family members. When my wife Ann and I moved to Albany after we graduated from college, we both were in the next Fandangle.”
Jones said that he looked for a social outlet that would help his wife, who grew up in Breckenridge, to feel at home in Albany.
“Being in the show gave her a coterie of friends right from the start, and a wonderful introduction to Albany,” said Jones. “In my opinion, the Fandangle is one of the major things that makes Albany special.”
Jones has said that putting on the show has taught the people of Albany to cooperate with each other and to come together to support common goals without taking sides.
Jones has played many parts in the show over the years, and when questioned recounted a few of his singing roles.
“I sang Down in Griffin Flat, that was written by Shirley Caldwell,” the parade marshal said. I’ve also been one of the ones singing Drunk and Disorderly and that was a lot of fun!”
The Albany native went into the oil business with his father and his brother soon after he earned a bachelor of science degree in geology from the University of Oklahoma in 1957.
He was named “Oilman of the Year” by the West Central Texas Oil & Gas Association in 1986, and “Chief Roughneck” by Lone Star Steel in 1998.
The cofounder and non-executive chairman of EnerVest, Jones is a former chairman of both the Independent Petroleum Association of America and of the Texas Oil & Gas Association. He is also a former president of the West Central Texas Oil and Gas Association, and has served on the National Petroleum Council.
Jones is a former member of the Fandangle board of directors.
Parade Thanks
Ayers expressed his appreciation to this year’s judges – Dan Nance, Jimbo and Terri Lynn Calhoun, Sherry Flow, and Debbie and Dean Smith.
Ayers also thanked announcer Pam Davis, and sound system provider Roy Burl Oliver, along with everyone who helped with lineup duties, the individuals and businesses that provided trucks, trailers and drivers for the parade, and the sheriff’s office, police department, DPS and highway department for handling and diverting traffic during the event.
“I want to thank Jeff Pleasant for furnishing the trailer for the judges float,” Ayers said. “Chris and Tyler Beard, McLennan Jones, and Brooks Neece helped with lining up the parade entries.”
Ayers also thanked his wife, Lorna, for working with the judges and helping to tally the judges’ scores.
“It’s not just the ones in the parade itself who make it a success,” said Ayers. “There are lots of people working behind the scenes.”
Winning Entries
The top three entries in a number of different categories were named by the judges and announced before the Saturday performance of the Fandangle.
Plaques for the first and second place winners can be picked up at the Fandangle office located in the Albany Visitors Center (Depot).
The 2018 Fandangle Parade winners include the following:
Best Overall Entry – 1890 Army Escort wagon – Cliff Teinert
Best Shackelford County Entry – 1880 Army ambulance – Cliff Teinert
Best Float – 1. Prairie Schoolin’, 2. St. Vincent Folklorico, 3. Ole Fishin’ Hole
Best Group – 1. Hardin-Simmons Six White Horses, 2. Fandangle Flag Parade, 3. Shackelford County Fire Departments
Best Horse Drawn – 1. Chuck Wagon – Cliff Teinert, 2. The Butterfield Stage Coach, 3. Prairie Schooner
Best Individual – 1. Lone Stranger – Doyle Lemond, 2. Fort Griffin State Park Longhorns, 3. Fandangle Set Crew
Best Antique Vehicle – 1. Willys Jeep – Cliff Teinert, 2. 1964 Galaxy XL hard top – Billy Boland, 3. Fredericksburg Vintage Car Club
Best Side Saddle – 1. Kathy Thomson, 2. Lacy Roop
