P. O. Box 98 Burton, Texas 77835.
Burton’s Second Annual Cotton Gin Festival will be held on
Main Street in historic Burton, Texas, Friday, April 19 through
Sunday, April 21. The Festival is a celebration of heritage and
community. In cotton’s heyday, around the turn of the century,
thousands of cotton gins could be found in Texas. Cotton was
king…’white gold.’ The focal point of the Festival is the
Burton Farmer’s Gin, which is a National Landmark Gin and one
of the few remaining complete gin and mill complexes in the United
States, according to the Smithsonian Institution. The gin is part
of a National Landmark Complex, in cooperation with the Smithsonian
Institution, the National Trust, and the Texas Historical
Commission.
The Burton Cotton Gin Festival will kick off with a Team Roping
Competition and a banquet held at the Nueces Canyon Ranch on Friday
evening, April 19, during which the Cotton Gin Festival Queen will
be crowned.
Saturday, April 20 events will start at 11:00 a.m. with a parade
through downtown Burton, which will include animals, antique farm
equipment, antique car clubs, bands, floats and much more! The
Festival gates will open Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 noon with
exhibits, cotton gin tours, sausage cook-off, arts and crafts, food
booths, and continuous entertainment such as theatre groups,
dancers, bands and plenty of fun for all ages.
Headlining Saturday’s entertainment is south
Louisiana-born-and-raised Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke, from 7:00
p.m. until 11:00 p.m., in conjunction with a street dance. Mr.
Burke has played with well known artists such as Ray Price, Little
Jimmy Dickens, Johnny Bush and others. Throughout his career, Mr.
Burke has played many fairs, rodeos, and dances. He has also been
seen on several shows on the Nashville Network, and in 1989 and
1990 he toured Europe. This will be a show you won’t want to
miss!
Sunday’s featured entertainers include the Kent and Jenni
Finlay Show, a father-daughter duo who understand ‘What Makes
Texas Swing.’ Eleven year old Jenni has been playing fiddle
with her dad’s band since 1987, and she has already recorded
two albums. The Finlays are sure to give everyone an afternoon to
remember!
Festival admission will be $2.00 for adults; $0.50 for children;
parking is free. Burton is located halfway between Houston and
Austin just off U.S. 290 on Spur 125 and FM390 right in the heart
of Bluebonnet country. Hotel, RV, and camping accommodations are
available in the area.
