Historic Downtown Stroll Scheduled For This Saturday

Tickets are still available for the Wills Point Historic Stroll on the Brick Streets, but there are not many, chamber president Karen Samples said.

"We don’t have many left, but we’ll make them available at the door on Saturday," Samples said.

The stroll, themed as "Shake, Rattle and Roll," will begin at 3 p.m. with a presentation and explanation of the historic mural painted by The Gallery of the Arts’ Dan Fogel.

In addition to downtown businesses remaining open for the stroll, there will be historic presentations at the First Christian Church and at Bruce Park. The Precinct 3 Sub-Courthouse will also be open to visitors.

Two dress rehearsal presentations for the "1909 Taft Campaign Trail," speech will be held at the caboose on W.S. Commerce (Highway 80) at 4 and 4:45 p.m.

A community meal at the Russell Memorial Methodist Church’s Deen Building will be between 5-6:30 p.m., and Elvis impersonator James Wages will perform at 7 p.m. Other entertainment will be provided during the dinner.

For more information, call the chamber at 903-873-3111.

Other events planned for the month of October includes the Halloween Parade on October 17, sponsored by the Darkwood Haunted Mall.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m., with lineup at 8 a.m. at the warehouses on FM 751. Judges and volunteers are needed for the lineup.

Bands, clubs, groups, pets and individuals of all ages are invited to participate, and a costume contest sign-up will take place after the parade. Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume in age groups 0-3, 4-8, 9-13, 14-17 and adult. There will also be prizes for Best Pet, Best Group, Best Float and Best Vehicle. Contestants may participate in the parade or be spectators.

Organizers also announced that the Hella Shriners have approved participation in the parade.

For more information and forms, visit www.wphalloween.com.

Beginning as early as 8 a.m. on October 31, some downtown streets will be blocked off for the "1909 Taft Campaign Trail" event. Street vendors and entertainers will be on hand to welcome "President William Taft’s" train to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the president’s stop in Wills Point.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on October 31, downtown businesses will host Halloween on the Brick Streets. Trick-or-Treaters can visit the businesses for Halloween treats until 1 p.m.