Parade, Crowds Highlight Opening Fandangle Weekend

The Fort Griffin Fandangle opened its 88th season with strong crowds over the weekend, drawing more than 1,500 people to the Prairie Theater for the first two performances of the 2026 production.

Friday night’s opening performance attracted a large audience, while Saturday night’s show was nearly sold out.

Saturday was one of the busiest days of the weekend as visitors filled downtown Albany for the annual Fandangle Parade and other activities before making their way to the Prairie Theater that evening.

The final two performances of the 2026 season are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 26-27.

Several Fandangle weekend activities will continue alongside the performances. The Albany Study Club Quilt Show will remain open at the Whitney Theatre, while the Shackelford County Courthouse will be open for tours each afternoon.

Sandy Abel’s tracker organ concerts at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. each day, and exhibits at the Old Jail Art Center will be open throughout the weekend.

The Old Jail Art Center will also host a Native American dance performance from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets remain available for both remaining performances through the Fandangle office and online.

Parade Draws

Large Crowd

Main Street drew spectators Saturday, June 20, as the 2026 Fort Griffin Fandangle Parade moved through downtown Albany with 40 entries highlighting local history.

Parade organizers said this year’s event emphasized quality participation and smooth execution, with entries competing in five categories: Best Overall, Best Float, Best Group, Best Individual and Best Fandangle Theme.

Cori Bezner, who organized the parade along with John Ayers and Claire Ware, said the event came together smoothly. She credited strong community support and sponsorship for its success.

“We want to thank parade sponsors First Financial Bank, The Albany News, Clear Fork Bank and Dovetail Distributors,” Bezner said. “We also appreciate all the participants and their great entries, along with local law enforcement for helping everything run safely.”

Bezner also thanked John Caldwell for providing the sound system, along with Trent Tankersley, Pam Davis, Wade Jones, Cali Rose, Kelsey Bell, Lorna Ayers, Dally Bezner, Jamie Parsons, Kory Ware, Jeff Bezner, Morgan and Connor Smith and Ayers Bezner for assisting with parade operations.

Pam Davis served as emcee for the event. Judges were Sandy Abel, Donnie Lucas, Connie Wood, Jenny Scott, Morgan Smith and Wade Jones, known as the “Fandangle sound booth stars.”

Lanham Martin served as parade marshal for the annual event.

Parade results are as follows: