Grand Saline’s Salt Fest Set For June 3-6

GRAND SALINE—Four days and nights of food, fun and live entertainment will fill the streets of downtown Grand Saline as the 35th edition of the Salt Festival begins June 3.

Headlining the musical acts this year is country star David Ball, who will perform at the June 6 street dance to close the festival. Chad Reilly and the Wild Horse Band will be the opening act.

That concert will begin at 9:30 p.m. with tickets for $10 in advance and $12 at the gate.

Chad Reilly and the Wild Horse Band also will play a Thursday night show on June 4, starting at 8 p.m. with admission for $5.

Joy Caldwell, president of the Salt Festival Heritage Association, said this year’s event is reviving some old favorites for children in the "Kiddie Kappers" activities on June 6.

"We’re bringing back some of the older Kiddie Kappers games, contests like the stick horse races and things we haven’t had for a while," Caldwell said.

"We will also have more of a carnival-type deal going. I’ve even had a guy contact me about providing a rock climbing wall," she added.

Other live entertainment includes a free gospel concert on the opening night of the festival, June 3. Local favorites WhiskeyFish will perform Friday night’s street dance at 9 p.m. with admission being $7 per person.

The Grand Saline Rodeo Association is presenting its 48th annual United Professional Rodeo Association (UPRA) event June 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. both nights at the Grand Saline Rodeo Grounds.

Although not associated with the Salt Festival, the rodeo organizers have shown a great spirit of cooperation, Caldwell said.

"It’s two different events on the same weekend, but they have been wonderful about helping and working with us," she said about the rodeo.

A barbecue cook-off on June 6 is part of the rodeo festivities. The entry fee is $100 and there will be a 75 percent payback and trophies for the winners.

Admission to the rodeo is $7 for adults and $3 for children each night.

Caldwell said the Salt Festival and Grand Saline Rodeo will do one combined parade through downtown Grand Saline on Friday, June 5, at 5 p.m. Anyone interested in participating in the parade should call Caldwell at (903) 288-8462.

Caldwell also spotlighted the Salt Festival’s activities on Wednesday, June 3, for senior citizens. Those include a "42" tournament at the Grand Saline Civic Center and a health fair and Bingo at the Grand Saline Chamber of Commerce Pavilion.

She said registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. for the "42" tournament, which gets under way at 10 a.m. and will feature a $50 cash prize for the winner.

"We will have the health fair in the pavilion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then Bingo starting at 2 p.m. We will give away prizes and they are good ones like a crock pot, candle set, electric skillet or hair products," Caldwell said.

Salt Festival vendors will be downtown both Friday and Saturday. Last year marked the first time for the vendor sales expansion to two days.

Grand Saline Chamber of Commerce Executive Administrator Lisa Morrison said the festival is usually a boost to the downtown area’s stores and businesses as well.

"Every year, it has gotten better and better," she said. "It definitely helps downtown, with the (attendance) numbers coming up every year, it is helping everybody around, including restaurants and even the boot store (Mistletoe Boots) on that Saturday."

Morrison praised the effort of Caldwell and the Salt Festival Heritage Association in making the festival a major attraction.

"They are working as hard as they can bringing in the music groups for each night, and I think the numbers are definitely increasing. You can tell by the number of vendors, too," she said.

Luncheons will be available for $5 each day during the festival. The June 3 luncheon will be the traditional "Virginia Milam’s Old South Dinner" of chicken and dumplings with all the trimmings.

Chicken spaghetti will be served at the luncheon on June 4, barbecue will be featured on June 5, and the June 6 luncheon will include burgers and hot dogs.

All luncheons start at 11:30 a.m. and will be held in the tent that will be set up by the Grand Saline Post Office.