Annual parade to roll Saturday afternoon
By Melinda L. Lucas
The 2019 version of the Fandangle parade is set to take to the streets of downtown Albany at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, and parade organizers are hoping for more entries to come in during the next two days.
Parade chairman John Ayers said he would love to see more of the classic cars and trucks that call Shackelford County home join in for the drive up and down the Main Street drag, but what would really make him happy is more floats.
Ragan Riley and Shannon Leech are also serving as Fandangle Parade co-chairs this year.
“We still only have a very few floats,” Ayers said on Tuesday afternoon. “We are really hoping for more Albany area people to get involved.”
Local entries and participation are needed to keep the Fandangle parade going, said Ayers.
“This is a last minute plea for more entries from Albany and Shackelford County residents,” said Ayers. “We do have several entries from the Fandangle cast including many of the wagons, but we need others to join them.”
He added that there are several family wagons entered, but more are always welcome.
Other entries include Hardin-Simmons’ Six White Horses, the Lone Star Ladies riding club, and several antique tractors from Ranger College.
Longhorns from Fort Griffin State Historic Site will be in the parade as usual, according to herd manager Will Craddock.
A large assortment of the horses and rolling stock from the Fandangle are also expected, as is the train and the calliope.
Parade Marshals
“Cowboys of Long Ago” will serve as this year’s parade marshals, according to Ayers.
The cowboys are featured in the 2019 performances and will be both mounted and on a float or wagon for the parade.
Ayers added that a couple of the “Cowboys of Long Ago” may appear in other parts of the lineup, such as the Flag Parade.
Special Judges
Ayers said that he has five judges lined up, with four of last year’s judges agreeing to return for this summer’s event.
Dean and Debby Smith are from Eliasville. Dean Smith is a former Olympic gold medal track star, NFL player, and movie stuntman. He is a member of the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Stuntman’s Hall of Fame.
Jimbo and Terry Lynn Calhoun are ranchers from the Fort Worth and Weatherford area.
New on the judges stand this year will be David Kle-ment, owner and manager of Abilene radio station FM “95.1 the Wolf.”
Prize Categories
The judges will be selecting first and second place winners in several categories including Best Float, Best Group, Best Individual Entry, Best Overall Entry, Best Shackelford County Entry, Best Horse Drawn Vehicle, Best Antique Vehicle, and Best Sidesaddle Lady.
Ribbons or certificates will be awarded to the winners in each category.
Lineup Details
Participants in the parade should plan to arrive at Griffin Road in front of Nancy Smith Elementary School at 4:15 p.m. to pick up their numbers and take their places in line.
The parade will get underway at 5:00 p.m.
The event is free to both participants and spectators, and last minute entries are accepted, but pre-registration is suggested so that the emcee can announce individuals and groups as they go by the judges stand.
Registration forms are available at the Fandangle office, or by calling parade co-chair Ragan Riley at 214-663-3271.
Last minute entries that did not have a chance to fill out a form are still welcome to participate. To get an entry number, they should flag down Ayers or one of his assistants, who will be in jeeps or ATVs as they line up the entries.
“I sure want to encourage everyone with antique cars to come and join us in the parade,” Ayers said. “Or if you need some props for a float, we may even be able to help you out. It’s sometimes a little hot when we line up, but then the parade starts, and it’s so much fun that you have a great time.”
The entries roll down the middle of Main Street, past sidewalks crowded with spectators, in front of the judges review stand by First National Bank, make a left turn in front of the Nail House, and circle around the Courthouse Square. The procession then turns right onto Main Street again, and goes past the review stand a second time before heading back to the starting point.
Winners will be announced at the Prairie Theater shortly before the start of Fandangle on Saturday, June 22, the day of the parade.
