The Lake Whitney Chamber of Commerce will present the 50th annual Pioneer Days festival Saturday, October 4, in downtown Whitney. Visitors and residents will gather downtown to enjoy carnival rides, shopping, food vendors, live entertainment and the afternoon’s parade.
The fun starts early with the carnival opening to the public along Railroad Avenue Thursday, October 2. Families can enjoy carnival rides, cotton candy, lemonade and funnel cakes Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Ticket prices for rides are $1 each or $20 for 22 tickets. Wristbands permitting entry to all rides are available Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. During the festival Saturday, the carnival will be up and running by the afternoon and will stay open until 10 p.m.
Booths will begin opening at 8 a.m. Saturday in the downtown area. Mayor Janice Sanders will speak at 9 a.m. and welcome visitors to the festival. Over 50 local vendors will offer food and items for sale.
Performances get underway at 9 a.m. with Panther Judo. Past Pioneer Days queens will be introduced at 10:30 a.m., and local favorites Barry Beavers and Jennifer Neal will perform from 10:40 a.m. to noon. The Whitney High School German Folk Dancers will perform at noon, and the Whitney High School Royelles will follow with a performance at 1 p.m. Steve Dansby will perform at 1:30 p.m.
The Pioneer Days parade will wind through downtown streets starting at 3 p.m. Saturday. Spectators are asked to stay close to sidewalks and out of the street for safety. Parade lineup will begin at 2 p.m. at Whitney Intermediate School, with the procession leaving the school parking lot at 3 p.m. Parade entries will be accepted until 4 p.m. Friday, October 3.
A street dance is planned in the evening, with free admission and a family-friendly atmosphere. All are invited to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music. The Old Leather Band will open the evening’s entertainment at 4 p.m. Cadillac Pearl will take the stage at 5:30 p.m., and the Zack Webb Band will perform at 7:30 p.m.
Other activities planned in conjunction with the festival include the 2025 baby photo contest, which is open to children 0-4 years of age who live in Hill County and the surrounding area. One photo can be submitted per child, and no professional photos are allowed.
First, second and third place winners will be chosen by local small business owners, photographers and non-profit leaders. A fan favorite will be chosen based on $1 votes during the festival, with the proceeds benefiting the Fishers Christian Preschool scholarship fund. Deadline for entries is Wednesday, October 1. Entries can be submitted via the 2025 Pioneer Day Cute Baby Contest Facebook page.
The Whitney Wildcat Steak (and wings) Cookoff is also planned. Entry fee is $200; steaks will be provided, and participants bring the wings. The competition features big payouts, including $1,000 for the first-place steak, $500 for second place, $400 for third place, $300 for fourth place and $200 for fifth place. Wing winners will receive $150 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place.
The cookoff will begin with a cooks meeting and steak selection at 9 a.m. Wings will be turned in at noon, and steak turn-in is at 2 p.m. Awards will be presented at 5 p.m.
To sign up for the cookoff, contact Kenney Heath at 254-855-4266.
For more information about entering the parade or other Pioneer Days questions, contact the Lake Whitney Chamber of Commerce at 254-625-2387.
The Lakelander 