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~ Where Fun Awaits You ~
Issue No. 6 / e-Tracks 2017












2017 marks 40 years
of the Great Texas Balloon Race

 

This will be a monumental year for the GTBR as we celebrate  40 years of "Lifting Up Longview" 

July 28-30, 2017

It's a world class event attracting the very best competitive pilots
from across the United States and the world.
 
Considered by many of the pilots that compete at the Great Texas Balloon Race to be the best run event on the circuit, the Great Texas Balloon Race earned Longview the official designation as "The Balloon Capital of Texas" by the Governor of Texas in 1985.
 
In 2013 Gregg County was proclaimed "The Balloon Race Capital of Texas"
by the 83rd Texas Legislature.


Balloon flights begin Friday morning with a flight over the City of Longview
and
continue each morning through Sunday over the East Texas Regional Airport. Launch and landing sites change each day as they are always determined by wind and the weather.
Balloon Glows on Friday and Saturday night entertain crowds with an awesome display of color and excitement. It's one of the most popular things to do at the event as the public is able to get up close and watch how balloons are inflated and operate.  Live concerts Friday and Saturday nights following the Balloon Glow extend the entertainment into the late night.
 
Kids Land is a safe restricted area for children that requires a small separate entry fee. Activities and attractions differ from year to year but it is always
a fun time.
  Vendors display their arts, crafts and other merchandise in booths
lined up along an improvised midway.
  Food Vendors make sure there is always enough to eat and drink during the day and evening.

http://www.visitlongviewtexas.com/
http://www.greattexasballoonrace.com/
 
Gregg County Historical Museum
LONGVIEW       
The Gregg County Historical Museum is housed in the historic
Everett Building, a former bank building, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010. Exhibits illustrating the development of Gregg County include those
centered on timber, farming, oil, railroads, schools and commerce. Furnishings such as those found in a bank president's office, dentist's office, an early 1900s
parlor and bedroom, the interior of a log cabin and a general mercantile store are
also displayed. Some of the museum's important exhibits and collections include The Arthur Northcutt Brown Military Collection, The Dalton Gang exhibit, The
Architecture in Texas exhibit, t
he Oral History Collection
and much more.

June 2nd & 3rd, 2017 
Big Pines Blues Fest
Kilgore, Texas

The Big Pines Blues Festival will be held at
Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex Rodeo Arena, June 2-3, 2017. The festival is changing formats this year to an outdoor festival. The festival will feature new faces of the blues, with a lineup of professional musicians performing alongside young talent. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. on Friday and admission is free. Friday's lineup includes Riverside Blues Band featuring Carter Wilkinson, 2016 Youth Challenge Winner; Red House Revival featuring Andrew Greear, 2016 Youth Challenge Finalist; Ally Venable Band, and The Peterson Brothers. Saturday will be a full day of blues music with the Junior Showcase Youth Competition in the morning and professional entertainment starting mid-afternoon. Saturday's lineup includes the Pleasant Hill Quilting Group, Johnny and the Night Crawlers, A J Cascio & Two Tone Blues Band, Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones Blues Band, Darrell Nulisch, Elvin Bishop, and The Big Pines Jam, hosted by Jimmy Wallace and the Stratoblasters. Advance General Admission tickets are $20 (+2.09 fee). VIP tickets are $60 (+4.29 fee) for Fri./Sat. admission. Attendees may bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on or sit on the bleacher seats. Please note, coolers and pets are not allowed. For tickets and further information please visit
http://bigpinesbluesfest.com/  or www.longviewtexas.gov/bpbf .

 
 
Fine Arts Community
LONGVIEW

Longview that has such a vibrant arts community - Longview Ballet Theatre, Longview Symphony Orchestra, East Texas Symphonic band, Longview Museum of Fine Arts,
ArtsView Children's Theatre, Theatre Longview, Longview World of Wonders Hands-On Discovery, and LeTourneau University's premier Belcher Performance Center. With such widespread support, the arts in Longview continue to flourish and to offer creative resources that enhance our community..

JUNE & JULY | EVENTS

January - December : CANTON     
Thursday-Sunday before the First Monday of every month
First Monday Trade Days
Contact:  1-877-462-7467; Fax:  (903) 567-1872, [email protected]
or www.visitcantontx.com

June - July ( every Friday) : DENISON  
Music on Main  
Contact: Downtown Denison, Inc.,
(903) 464-4452, www.cityofdenison.com          

June 2 : EASTON
   
Turnip Green Festival - Street Dance 
Contact:  City of Easton, (903) 643-7819, www.eastontexas.com,
www.turnipgreenfestival.com

June 2 & 3 : LONGVIEW
Big Pines Blues Festival  
Contact:  www.BigPinesBluesFest.com
or www.VisitLongviewTexas.com
  or (903) 753-3281

June 3 : EASTON   
Turnip Green Festival - Saturday Events 
Contact:  City of Easton, (903) 643-7819, www.eastontexas.com,
www.turnipgreenfestival.com 
 
June 3 - 4 : GREENVILLE 
Cotton Boll ArtFest   
Contact: (903) 450-4502 or www.cottonmuseum.com 

June 4 : EASTON
Turnip Green Festival - Sunday Events 
Contact:  City of Easton, (903) 643-7819, www.eastontexas.com,
www.turnipgreenfestival.com

June 10 : JACKSONVILLE
34th Annual Tomato Fest   
Contact:Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, (903) 586-2217 or
 
June 10 : NACOGDOCHES
Texas Blueberry Festival  
Contact:Nacogdoches County
Chamber of Commerce, (936) 560-5533; 
 
June 17 : DETROIT -
RED RIVER COUNTY
    
Annual Car Show 
 
Contact:  Corky Whitley, (903) 491-9570 or Jamie Miller, (903) 219-7600 for more information.

June 23 : PALESTINE
Moonlight Special Dinner Train  
Contact: Texas State Railroad (877-726-7245)
www.texasstaterr.com

June 29 - July 29 : KILGORE    
Texas Shakespeare Festival 
Contact:  Kilgore College Box Office, (903) 983-8601, www.TexasShakespeare.com

June 29, 30 & July 1 : TIMPSON
- SHELBY COUNTY
Timpson Frontier Days   
Contact: Marilyn Corder,   [email protected], Timpson
Chamber of Commerce, (936) 254-2603         
 
July 1 : COMMERCE  
4th of July Celebration    
Contact: Commerce Chamber of Commerce (903) 886-3950, [email protected]

July 1 : HENDERSON  
Patriotic Celebration   
Contact: (903) 657-6551, www.visithendersontx.com
 


July 3 : GILMER    
July 4th Fireworks  
Contact:  Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce, (903) 843-2413, www.gilmerareachamber.com

July 4 : CANTON
July 4th Parade and Fireworks  
Canton Visitors Bureau, 1-877-462-7467, www.visitcantontx.com

July 4 : DENISON
July 4th Fireworks  
Contact:  Downtown Denison, Inc., (903) 464-4452 or (903) 465-1551, www.denisontexas.us

July 4 : JACKSONVILLE     
July 4th Fireworks Display on
Lake Jacksonville  
Contact:  Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, www.jacksonvilletexas.com

July 4 : LONGVIEW  
4th of July FIreworks
and Freedom Celebration    

July 4 : MINEOLA
Annual 4th of July
Celebration & Fireworks  
Contact:  Mineola Civic Center - Nancy Murphy (903) 569-6115, www.mccrvpark.com

July 4 : NACOGDOCHES
Freedom Fest    
Contact:Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1-888-564-7351 www.VisitNacogdoches.com 
 
July 4 : PITTSBURG - CAMP COUNTY 
Independence Day Blast   
Contact:City of Pittsburg, (903) 856-3621, www.pittsburgtexas.com 
 
July 6, 7 & 8 : CENTER
- SHELBY COUNTY
    
WHAT-A-Melon Festival 
  Contact:  [email protected], Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, 
(936) 598-3682, www.shelbycountychamber.com

July 7 & 8 : MINEOLA
54th Annual Fireman's Rodeo   
Contact: Mineola Volunteer Fire Department, David Madsen (903) 569-6184
www.Mineolafd.com

July 14 - 15 : PARIS     
July 15 - ANNUAL
"Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally"
July 14 & 15 -
"Paris Balloon & Music Festival"  
Contact: 1-800-727-4789 * (903) 784-2501, www.tourdeparis.com* www.paristexas.com

July 28 - 29 : BONHAM
Annual Bonham 2017 Quilt Hop     
Contact:  Bonham Visitors Center (903) 583-9830, [email protected],
www.visitbonham.com

July 28 - 30 : LONGVIEW 
Great Texas Balloon Race    
Contact:  www.VisitLongviewTexas.com
or (903) 753-3281
                   
July 28 - 30 : PARIS    
3rd ANNUAL "Paris Powerboat Grand Prix"
Southern Drag Boat Association Boat Race
Contact:  Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-727-4789 * 903-784-2501
www.paristexas.com

July 29 & 30 : CARTHAGE
John Ritter Tribute Showcase    
Contact: Chamber of Commerce,
(903) 693-6634 - www.carthagetexas.com/showcase
for information about entering. For a complete list of events visit www.carthagetexas.com  



2017 North East Texas Visitor and Events Guide

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Events and Attractions!
LONGVIEW, TEXAS  

It's easy to understand why Longview offers an authentic East Texas experience. Longview is full
of friendly folks who know how to enjoy life and make a guest feel welcome. With many options for
hotels, restaurants, and shopping, Longview is the perfect hub for viewing all of East Texas.
Hungry? Whether you are craving a local favorite or popular chains, Longview can satisfy your hunger with more than 100 dining choices. Longview is also the region's busiest destination for shopping, with major shopping centers and local specialty shops.
Known for the Great Texas Balloon Race in the summer, Longview is also home to many other fantastic events throughout year including the Big Pines Blues Fest in June, 4th of July Freedom
and Fireworks Celebration, Rockers Riders and Ribs in October, and Downtown Live concerts in the spring and fall. A world-class art museum, fascinating historical museum, and hands-on activities for children at the Longview World of Wonders provide a broad spectrum of activities for the visitors and residents of Longview.

Longview Convention & Visitors Bureau
300 W. Cotton Street * Longview, TX 75601
Phone: (903) 753-3281
www.VisitLongviewTexas.com

To receive a Free Copy of the 2017 North East Texas Visitor and Events Guide or Tour Map, please call (903) 845-5501 or email your request to [email protected]
Find out how your City & Tourism Attractions can be a part of the reach of this
Monthly Events Calendar for our 30-County Region of North East Texas.
Call Shawn Edwards for more Info. at 1-800-382-3624 or Email:  [email protected]
With your next Event, please email your cherry-picked & feature photos that you wish to share to help further promote the Event in the future, as we may utilize them within various feature marketing avenues, such as e-Tracks, the Guide or Tour Map, and website.
Email high-resolution quality Photos to:  [email protected]

THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH THE NETTC!
North East Texas Tourism Council | 903-845-5501 | [email protected]