Busy weekend in Kilgore

A number of activities are planned this weekend to keep residents of all ages busy including a book fair, a banquet honoring an outstanding Kilgore woman, and FFA show and fund-raisers sponsored by the East Texas Treatment Center.

Beta Sigma Phi sorority's First Lady will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday at the Devall Student Center Ballroom the Kilgore College campus.

The annual event is sponsored by the City Council of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

The selection is based on the candidate's accomplishments in every field of community activity.

Candidates for the award are successful women whose deeds span a long period of years and merit special recognition.

Saturday features the Kilgore Future Farmers of America's annual project show and auction.

The show and sale will be at the Leon Gibson Agriculture Farm and begins at 8:30 a.m.

Rounding off the day will be a barbecue supper for $7 per plate at 5:30 p.m. The sale starts after the barbecue at 7 p.m.

Friends of the Library are sponsoring a membership drive Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Books will be half price all day.Members coming in a number of packages: $2 for children, $10 for individuals, $15 for families, $3 for senior citizens, $25 for donors, $50 for patrons and $100 for sponsors.

Refreshments will be available all day.

The East Texas Treatment Center is sponsoring a weekend of fund-raisers including a rod run, horseshoe pitching contest, motorcycle show, sock hop and barbecue contest. All events will be held in Kilgore City Park with the exception of the Sock Hop, which is set for the National Guard Armory.

The second annual Oil Patch Barbecue Cook-Off will draw many who want to watch experienced cooks practice their art.

Set-up time for the cook-off, sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society, is no earlier than 1 p.m. Friday, March 31.

Categories are chicken (half ), brisket, pork spare ribs and Jackpot pinto beans.

Entry fee is $50 for the meat categories and $10 for the Jackpot pinto bean competition.

All entrants will donate a brisket to the ETTC for sandwiches to sell to the public. A sandwich and chips will be available for $5. Deadline for entries is 9 p.m. March 31.

Plaques will be awarded for first, second and third places in each category and ribbons to fourth through 10th place winners.

First place in the meat categories will also receive $400; second place, $200; third place, $100; fourth place, $75; and, fifth place, $50.

Cash awards will go to the top three Jackpot pinto bean cookers. The Rod Run, formerly Rollin' Rods of East Texas, is one of fund-raisers planned for the weekend of March 31 through April 1 by ETTC. The event is open to Pre-1973 vehicles.

Entry fee is $20 before March 29 and $25 after that date.

"Cars must be driven to the show to be eligible for awards or Grand Prize," Holmes said. "Owners must be present with the car to accept any awards or door prizes."

A number of vendors will be on hand selling their wares to car enthusiasts.

The ETTC Horseshoe Tournament April 1 in Kilgore City Park. Saturday at 10 a.m. Participants will also be divided into a number of classes, depending on their handicaps. Registration fee is $5 per person.

The People's Choice Motorcycle Show will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. No entry fee is required for this event. Cyclists are invited to bring their bikes and show them off. A People's Choice Award will be given.

Culminating the weekend will be the Saturday Night Sock Hop at 7 p.m. Saturday at the National Guard Armory.

Headlining the entertainment at the sock hop is The Brooze Brothers, a group of six men who are "trying to relive their youth" by playing the old time rock and roll music that they enjoyed when they were growing up in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

The music crosses generational gaps and has been enjoyed by all ages at the various venues.

Burgers will be provided by the Butcher Shop and malts and shakes by Shake's of Longview.

Tickets are $30 per person. Reserved tables are available.