The Tarkington community will celebrate the 16th Annual Tarkington Roundup on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in front of Tarkington Middle School on FM 163 in Liberty County. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. including the third annual, “Tarkington Showcase of Talent,” a celebration of all the talented folks on the Prairie, young and old, and the seventh annual karaoke contest with our own karaoke master, Pete Vandver, and other great fundraising events.
The Roundup is sponsored by the Tarkington Student Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides funding to all graduating Tarkington students who pursue any form of post-secondary education.
Kicking off the day will be the annual Tarkington Stampede 5K fun run/walk with an entry fee of $20. The runners/walkers will start at the Tarkington Primary Gym (behind the Primary school) with a 7:30 a.m. registration. The run starts at 8 a.m. Sign up today with Danny Stutts by contacting dannystutts@sbcglobal.net. Awards for the Stampede will be given at the Round-Up.
The “Tarkington Showcase of Talent” event begins after the Stampede at around 10 a.m. with performances by our Intermediate School Choir, the Tarkington Middle School Band, High School Thundering Horns Band, and the Tarkington High School Jazz Band.
“We will also be featuring talent from area musicians and other talent. We encourage anyone with a talent to come out and share it with the community. This showcase is open to everyone,” said Mollie Lambert, one of the founders of the event. “If you have a church choir itching to spread the gospel through music, come join us. If you are a gymnast, singer, dancer, musician, you name it, sign up and take the stage. This is not a competition this year – we just want to see all those gifted people in our community and be entertained.”
Anyone interested in performing can contact Lambert by calling 713-446-3442 to schedule an approximate time of performance. Spots are filling fast.
In addition to the talent showcase, there will be a Karaoke Competition. You can belt out three of your favorite tunes at $5 a tune and the audience will cast their votes at a cost of $1 a vote. If you think someone is better off not singing in the show, you can also cast a negative vote for $1. Trophies for the best in Tarkington karaoke will be awarded.
Anderson Ford is once again sponsoring a “Drive One 4 Your School” test drive at the Roundup to raise money for the Tarkington Student Foundation and will have some great cars there to test drive. There is no obligation to buy and no salesman will call. The test drive event begins at 8 a.m.
“Texas Elite Hospice under the name Steve Primeaux is going to match whatever Anderson Ford raises in the Tarkington round up test drive fund raiser dollar for dollar up to $6,000,” Lambert said. “What a great way to raise scholarship money. Thank you to Anderson Ford, Alfred Anderson and Sharon Anderson.”
Project Graduation will be on hand selling food and drinks to raise funds for this very worthy organization and will have carnival games for the family to enjoy.
The Tarkington Community Library will have a book fair with good bargains on books and a silent auction to raise funds for the library. The Library will also sponsor craft vendors who will have booths open during the same time period. Interested vendors should contact 281-592-5136 for more information.
Cleveland Rotary Club, another non-profit that supports the students of Tarkington with scholarships every year, will be selling raffle tickets for a four-wheeler and other great prizes.
All former students, teachers, administrators, community members, and anyone with an interest in Tarkington are invited to attend this fun-filled day of activities, nostalgia and reunion as Tarkington celebrates its past, present and future.
Tarkington Middle School is located seven miles south of Cleveland Texas. Take SH 321/105 south from Cleveland for five miles. Go one-half mile past the SH 105 split with SH 321. Turn left onto FM 163. Tarkington Middle School is located two miles on the left.
“We cannot do all of this without our wonderful sponsors! We would like to thank last year’s sponsors for their generous contributions! Thank you Anderson Ford, J. and Susan Rice, Tommy and Donna Dunn, Martin Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Cohn and Lambert – Attorneys, Kenneth Riggs, Green Bank, Sears Hometown Store, Prosperity Bank, Cook Construction and Tarver Abstract. If you see these people or go to their businesses, be sure and tell them how much their contributions are appreciated,” Lambert said.
For more information, contact J. Rice at 281-592-0439 or jrice@publicmgt.com, Mollie Lambert at 281-592-5243 or mollielambert66@yahoo.com, or Lisa Stephens at 281-592-8781 lstephens@tarkingtonisd.net.
Follow Tarkington Roundup on Facebook to keep up with the latest updates.