ARP, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video aired in April 2023 about last year's Arp Strawberry Festival.
Arp is celebrating its annual Strawberry Festival this weekend. This year is extra special for a unique anniversary -- it's been 125 years since Strawberry, Texas became Arp, Texas!
Activities kick off Saturday at 9 a.m. with two full days of shopping, eating, dancing, singing, playing games, riding the train and having fun. The parade starts at 2 p.m. Saturday and the events wrap up at 5 p.m. The fun will continue Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
According to the Arp Community Events website, the area now known as Arp was occupied as early as 1868, and in 1872, the International-Great Northern Railroad was built and the community became Jarvis Switch. Commercial development started in 1897 when truck and fruit farmer J. W. Melton came from Troup. Melton was the first local citizen to ship tomatoes to northern markets.
In 1898, the local post office was established as Strawberry. The next year, the town was renamed in honor of William Arp, a popular newspaper editor.
For the festival, there will be performances by the Arp High School One Act Play and scenes from Aladdin Jr. by the Arp Elementary Creative heARTS Drama Club. ACE will be recognize Arp High School seniors and awarding two scholarships.