ROYSE CITY, TX (July 23, 2014) The annual Royse City FunFest is back and bigger than ever on Saturday, October 18. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the festival will include several brand new features in addition to all of its classic traditions.
Royse City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julia Bryant said this will include a new KidsZone feature that is adult-friendly: a zip line.
“There will also be hamster balls, inflatables, a rock wall, a petting zoo, pony rides, a craft area sponsored by Country Life Montessori and much more to keep everyone busy,” she said.
A Microfest featuring 20 different beer brands created in local breweries will be held from 12-6 p.m. under the water tower at Old Jail Park in downtown Royse City. A $20 ticket to the event will provide eight samples, and eight additional samples can be purchased for another $5. Bryant said the proceeds form the Microfest will benefit the Royse City Animal Shelter and Our Daily Bread Food Pantry.
Bryant said his year’s 5k is a “Jailbreak Run” to the benefit the restoration of the original Royse City jail downtown.
“The Chamber wants to be sure it is a day of family fun for all ages, but in addition, we have a strong desire to give back to the community as much as we can,” she said. “[The jailhouse] is projected to have been built between 1908 and 1920 and is in need of repair so that it doesn’t deteriorate.”
The Children’ Pageant is sponsored this year by Stonebrook Learning Center and Academy, and the very first pageant winner from 1989 is scheduled to make an appearance. Bryant said the pageant will benefit a local family seeking funds to help pay medical bills for their baby. A Doggie Pageant sponsored by Brushy Creek Retrievers will also give guests the opportunity to let their pooch experience some fleeting fame, and it is free to enter all furry friends.
As per usual, the event will feature live music, a truck pull, cow patty bingo and many craft vendors. A Blood Mobile and a Mammography Mobile will both be on site as well. Bryant said Boy Scouts will serve their traditional pancake breakfast on the morning of the event, and the Girl Scouts will serve a spaghetti dinner in the evening afterward.
Bryant said while she doesn’t have an official guest count for previous years, her estimation is that 7,000 people typically attend.
“FunFest started with a handful of people 25 years ago and has continued to grow in size and attendance since then,” she said. “There are people who have lived here in the past that will plan a trip back for that weekend, or come home to visit so they can meet up with old friends. It’s literally like a homecoming.”
Bryant said one of FunFest’s original founders happens to be current Royse City Mayor Jerrell Baley. Baley will kick off the opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m.
The Royse City Chamber of Commerce is still looking for more volunteers and sponsors for this year’s FunFest. Sponsors can email Bryant at info@roysecitychamber.com, and volunteers can sign up at signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4da9ad29a2fd0-funfest1.
By Blue Ribbon News staff writer/reporter Julie Anne White.
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