GLADEWATER, Texas — East Texas Gusher Days this weekend in downtown Gladewater is celebrating the oil boom era of the 1930s with music, food, vendors and contests.
The annual festival honors oil being discovered in Gladewater in 1931 and the event has grown since its inception in 1985. Festivities kicked off Friday and will continue through Saturday, according to the event's Facebook page.
There will be performances by The Darrin Morris Band and Sheila and the Caddo Cats. Other parts of the event include the Gusher Days Car Show, a chili cook-off, a brownie bowl licking competition, arts and crafts vendors, and food.
A schedule of events can be found below:
Friday, April 19 in Downtown Gladewater
- 1 to 5 p.m. - Food and Craft Vendors
- 7 to 10 p.m. - Darrin Morris Band live on the Gusher Days Stage, select food and craft vendors
Saturday, April 20 in Downtown Gladewater
- 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Lions Pancake Breakfast at the Big Derrick Pavilion
- 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. - CASI Chili Cook-Off
- 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Classic Car Show, judging and performance by Dale Cummings at 10 a.m.
- 8 a.m. - The Nancy Burks Memorial 42 Domino Tournament at The Gladewater Museum Rodeo Annex, 112 W. Pacific
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Food and craft vendors
- Noon and 3 p.m. - League of Lions Wrestling
- 2 p.m. - Brownie Bowl Licking Contest
- 7 to 10 p.m. - Sheila And The Caddo Kats live on the Gusher Days Stage, select food and craft vendors
On April 27, the East Texas Gusher Days Bass Tournament will be held on Lake Gladewater.