By Pat Vallone

The Blanco County Fair, Parade and Rodeo was a big success. Blanco Pioneer Museum was well represented in the Exhibit Hall. We showed items from the early frontier life reflecting on ways to cook, wash clothes, cowboy saddles, branding irons, ropes, chaps they wore while taking care of cattle, and pictures of some of the original families of Blanco. We were very proud of our booth exhibit and are proud of the Best in Show ribbon we were presented… We will proudly have it on display at the Museum. We have ribbons from the past two years also and we are just very proud to represent the Museum and help promote the Blanco County Fair. The Museum was proud to have an entry in the Parade driven by Tina Gourley. What a fun way to start the day. Thanks to all the people who lined the streets in Johnson City to see all the different floats, etc. who participated.

We also advertised our current exhibit of World War II by talking to the visitors and showing them the Blanco County Historical Commission booth representing the veterans of World War II. Their pictures and stories represent the many veterans, from Blanco, Johnson City and the surrounding areas who fought in that War. They were recognized in a reception following the Parade. Our State Representative, Jason Isaac, presented each one with a state flag that had flown over the State Capitol. Jason also recognized all veterans attending the ceremony. You will be able to view the pictures, etc. along with uniforms and items they used in the War at the Blanco Pioneer Museum in Blanco. It is amazing how the families in this area have come forward and shared these items with the Museum. It gives you a very proud feeling when you go thru the Museum and view these items and read the stories of these brave men and women.

The Blanco Pioneer Museum, in the Pat Ryan Building at 418 Pecan Street, is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 – 3:00. We also set up special tours for groups. The entry is free, however we do accept all monetary donations which help us to continue the Museum. For more information regarding the Museum, please call Nell Krueger at 830-833-5774, Rebecca Howerton at 830-833-4950 or Pat Vallone at 830-833-1972.