The Tarkington community is preparing to celebrate the 22nd Annual Tarkington Round-Up on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in front of Tarkington Middle School on FM 163 in Liberty County. The event begins at 10 a.m. and promises a full day of family fun, live entertainment, contests, and activities—all to benefit the Tarkington Student Foundation.
The day will kick off with performances by the Tarkington High School Thundering Horns Band, the Tarkington Middle School Band, and the Tarkington Intermediate Choir. A highlight of the celebration will be the twelfth annual Karaoke Contest, hosted by Pete and Stephanie Vandver. Contestants may perform for $5 per song, while audience members can vote for their favorites at $1 per vote. Winners will take home trophies as the community’s top karaoke performers.
The event is organized by the Tarkington Student Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to every graduating Tarkington student pursuing post-secondary education. This year, the foundation has partnered with DeMontrond Ford, which will donate $30 for every test drive taken during the event, up to $6,000.
In addition, DeMontrond Ford will give $10 per test drive, up to $2,000, to support the food pantry at Rural Shade Baptist Church. Test drivers must be 18 or older and may register on the day of the event or in advance at https://d4urc.com/Q6D86.
Project Graduation will provide food and drinks to raise funds while also hosting carnival games. Visitors can enjoy booths featuring prizes, candy, and even a dunking booth. The Tarkington Community Library will host a Scholastic Book Fair, a silent auction, and a craft vendor fair. Vendor booth rentals are available for $30, with applications accepted by contacting the library at info@tarkingtonlib.org or 281-592-5136 during business hours. The Cleveland Rotary Club will also participate, selling raffle tickets for a four-wheeler and other prizes to support student scholarships.
Meanwhile, the Tarkington Middle School will host a volleyball tournament in the middle school and high school gyms, showcasing young athletes in action. As part of the day’s program, organizers will recognize the recipients of the 2025 Commitment to Education Community Award and the TISD Employee Award, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to local schools and students.
Organizers encourage all former students, teachers, administrators, and community members to attend this day of celebration, nostalgia, and reunion. Tarkington Middle School is located seven miles south of Cleveland, Texas. From Cleveland, take SH 321/105 south for five miles, continue a half mile past the SH 105 split, then turn left onto FM 163. The school will be two miles ahead on the left.
For more information, contact Mollie Lambert by emailing mlambert@cohnlambertlaw.com.
What a fun event — the Tarkington Round-Up returns Oct. 4 with music, food, contests, and all that family goodness! I once went to a local fair expecting just corndogs and ended up entering a pie-eating contest — walked away with whipped cream in my hair and a goofy grin. I actually passed https://trivago.pissedconsumer.com/review.html
earlier today looking up lodging for a weekend trip, and seeing real people’s honest stories made me think: these kinds of events matter because they’re where neighbors and strangers get to become friends. Can’t wait to hear everyone’s stories from it!