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The 4th Annual Texas Sawmill Festival held on April 17th set several records with respect to attendance, number of vendors participating, and the overall success of the event. Held for the first time in 2007 on Community Dr. and then in 2008 at Sallas Park the festival was moved to the EMCID complex in 2009 and the event really began to hit its stride. This year over seventy-five vendors participated and several new kid friendly attractions were available at no charge to the participants. The partnership of Porter, Fire, New Caney Fire and Splendora Fire Departments, New Caney ISD, the R B Tullis Library, Lone Star College-Kingwood’s Academy for Lifelong Learning and the many committee members and volunteers who helped make the festival a great success have our appreciation.
The attendance was an all-time high with over 2,800 attending and the level of participation from the local schools and talent certainly made the festival a wonderful success. No event like this would be possible without the support of very generous sponsors who continue to support the festival and other Chamber activities. Our sponsors included; East Montgomery County Improvement District, KVST KSTAR Country 99.7 FM, Kingwood Medical Center, Valley Ranch, Yellow Rose Reception Hall, Allied Power Mart, LifeQuest Community Church, The Observer, Spirit Exposition Services, Hair Stop and TDG General Contractors, Inc. provided very valuable assistance through in-kind contributions to help make the event a success. Volunteers represented several different groups and organizations including: Area firefighters, LifeQuest Community Church, Lone Star College-Kingwood Ambassadors and New Caney High School Jr. ROTC and the FFA Chapter. We truly appreciate the support of these groups. The entertainment was at an all-time high with school groups from Crippen Elementary, Joyful Sound Christian Academy, Peach Creek Elementary, Pineywoods Elementary, White Oak Middle School, and Valley Ranch Elementary as well as the Yellow Rose & Little Foot Cloggers. In addition the afternoon featured outstanding performances from Julia Hammock, Presley Lewis, Branden Mendoza, Ciara Smalling, and Porter’s own Sundance Head. Those going inside the EMCID building to visit the EMC Historical Society display and the quilting and other handwork displays were entertained by Fretted Friends who provided wonderful music from their dulcimers throughout the day. Attendees also saw a working sawmill from the Smith Family Sawmill Company. The Old Sawmill Town buildings and displays were once again judged and included entries from the East Montgomery County Historical Society (General Store and the museum), Eternal Life Ministries, Villas at Valley Ranch Apartments, and Vision of Faith Church. The judges awarded the sawmill blade trophy to the EMC Historical Society’s Museum display. Their name will be placed on the permanent trophy that is kept in the Chamber office and on display at all times. We truly enjoyed a wonderful day at the 4th Annual Texas Sawmill Festival and have booked the EMCID complex for April 16, 2011. Mark your calendars now and plan to participate. |
