The 23rd annual Tarkington Round-Up will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, in front of Tarkington Middle School on FM 163, bringing together students, alumni and community members for a day of entertainment, family activities and fundraising to benefit the Tarkington Student Foundation.
Originally scheduled for an earlier date in October, the event was postponed because of anticipated bad weather. With the celebration now falling on Halloween, organizers have added a costume contest to the festivities.
Activities begin at 10 a.m. with performances by the Tarkington High School Thundering Horns Band, Jazz Band and Tarkington Middle School Band.
The 13th annual Karaoke Contest will give participants an opportunity to show off their singing talents. Entries cost $5 per song, and audience members can vote for their favorites for $1 per vote. Trophies will be awarded to the top performers.
The Halloween costume contest begins at 1 p.m., with categories for early childhood, primary, intermediate, middle school, high school and adults. Registration opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 12:45 p.m. The entry fee is $5, with winners determined by audience votes at $1 each. Trophies will be awarded for the best costumes in each category.
The Round-Up is sponsored by the Tarkington Student Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to graduating Tarkington students pursuing postsecondary education, including college, vocational training and certification programs. Proceeds from the event will support those scholarships.
This year’s celebration will also feature a fundraising partnership with DeMontrond Ford through Ford’s Building Together Program. For every qualifying test drive of a new Ford vehicle, Ford will donate $30 to the Tarkington Student Foundation, up to $6,000.
DeMontrond Ford will contribute an additional $10 per test drive, up to $2,000, to the food pantry at Rural Shade Baptist Church, which serves families in the Tarkington community.
Participants must be at least 18 years old and complete a short survey following the test drive to qualify for the donations.
Tarkington Project Graduation will sell food and drinks and offer carnival games, including a dunking booth, along with opportunities to win prizes and candy.
The Tarkington Community Library will host a Scholastic Book Fair, silent auction and craft vendors. Vendor booth spaces are available for $30. Interested vendors may contact the library at info@tarkingtonlib.org or 281-592-5136 during regular hours: noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays.
The Cleveland Rotary Club, which also supports Tarkington students through annual scholarships, will sell raffle tickets for a four-wheeler and other prizes.
The celebration will also include recognition of the recipients of the 2026 Commitment to Education Community Award and TISD Employee Award. Plaques will be presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to Tarkington schools, students and the community.
Former students, teachers, administrators, residents and friends of Tarkington are encouraged to attend, reconnect with old friends and celebrate the community’s heritage.
Tarkington Middle School is located approximately seven miles south of Cleveland. From Cleveland, travel south on SH 321/105 for approximately five miles, continue one-half mile past the SH 105 and SH 321 split, then turn left onto FM 163. The school is approximately two miles ahead on the left.
For more information, contact Mollie Lambert at mlambert@cohnlambertlaw.com or visit the Tarkington Student Foundation Facebook page.