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Elgin’s 54th annual celebration of community and camaraderie continues to grow, with residents and visitors gathering at Memorial Park this past weekend for three full days of events, vendors and familiar. This year’s rendition of Elgin’s homecoming fair and festival, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, brought a bit more to the greenery than years prior. With a Wizard of Oz flair, Western Days included a yellow brick road fashion show, great Oz golf tournament and Toto’s dance, concluding with the grand parade and vendor market.
“It’s grown a lot, there’s more people, and vendors especially, every year,” said local realtor Valerie Navejas, “the chamber has done a lot to keep up with the times but maintain tradition.”
Elgin born and raised, Navejas attended all three days.
“It all leads to Saturday, where it’s a matter of how late can you stay out in this sun,” she said.
Crowds waxed and waned according to the sun overhead, fair rides remained particularly empty until shadows grew. When the temperature did drop, the campgrounds were full of lawn chairs and tents, adults with drink in hand and children with new toys from vendors.
As the sun lowers and temperatures drop, the carnival grounds begin to pick up.
Photo by Niko Demetriou Fashion show attendees were treated to a showcase of local businesses and well-dressed residents. Not just for promotions sake, the show also acted as an update for some of Elgin’s proud, highlighting personal accomplishments and achievements.
The weekend’s climax was busy with game and show. Live music entertainment matched freshly sanded volleyball courts, while local handcrafted goods sellers worked shop alongside the returning horseshoe tournament.
Three days in, the grounds remained clean and well-kept, Elgin police officers said, who showed out in great numbers.
Western Days continues to be a highlight of the year for the entire county and beyond, as well as an example of what a thriving small Texas town community can be, attendees said.
