True Grit is returning to the Old Blanco County Courthouse on October 23, 2010.

That is the date and theme of the Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society’s (OBCCPS) annual fundraiser benefitting the Old County Courthouse in Blanco, Texas. This year’s event is being dramatically expanded to appeal to all age groups, interests and price points.

This year’s “2010 Old Blanco Country Courthouse True Grit Festival and Gala” will feature four separate venues:

For the first time, a free Family Festival will be held on the grounds of the Old Blanco Country Courthouse from 1:00-4:00 PM on Saturday, October 23. Designed for kids and families, the event will include special appearances by the Texas Rangers who will perform a re-enactment of the famous shootout with Sam Bass and will issue Ranger Deputy badges to kids attending. A special Storytelling Area will feature stories about historical Blanco, demonstrations about the life and times of early pioneers will be presented courtesy of Pioneer Park in Johnson City, and special roping tricks will be performed by a guest roping expert. A pumpkin patch will be set up with over 100 pumpkins available for sale and some will be given away free to kids. Special Halloween mask making will be available courtesy of the Uptown Blanco Arts Center. There will be washer-throwing contests and food vendors will offer food and treats for sale.

The first annual “True Grit Texas Hold’em Tournament” will be held from noon-4:00 PM upstairs in the Old Courtroom with up to 100 players competing to become the “Blanco True Grit Champion.” Those making the final table will receive an engraved keepsake, and the top three finishers will receive special recognition. Entry is $60/person and advance reservations are requested. No one under 21 will be admitted to the event. Free beer and snacks are being provided courtesy of The Real Ale Brewing Company in Blanco.

The evening Gala event begins at 5:30 PM set under a free-standing 100’ tent on the grounds of the Courthouse starting with a free beer and wine mixer, followed by a three-course steak and/or chicken dinner catered by Sullivan St. Caterers. Both a silent and live auction of both goods and services donated by area businesses and individuals will be held under the tent.

Special auction items this year include a handmade western saddle by Marvin Stetler, a handmade walnut rocking chair by Gary Weeks Studio in Wimberley, the evening use of Albert Hall in Albert, Texas, a weekend stay at the Blasingame Creek Ranch with sleeping accommodations for a group of up to 28 people, special originally signed pictures of the True Grit movie set in the upstairs Courtroom by both the Coen Brothers and Jeff Bridges. Additional outstanding items are still being finalized but will be sure to please and surprise those attending.

Ticket prices for the Gala Dinner and Auction are $50 each or reserved tables for eight may be purchased for $400, and includes the mixer, dinner and auction plus admission to the Music Event and Street Dance starting at 8:30 PM and continuing until 11:30 PM to be held on Pecan Street adjacent to the Gala tent.

This event will feature “Mike Blakely and the Whiskey Traders”. Blakely, a Texas native now living in Marble Falls is well known as both a novelist and singer/ songwriter, publishing his first novel in 1990. He co-authored the novel, A Tale Out of Luck, with Willie Nelson, and has authored a slew of other western-themed novels. His music songwriting talent is well recognized in the industry and has a ballad-like, storytelling quality, including Guadalupe Moon, The Last Comanche Moon, Here’s to Horses and The Whiskey Traders Song. Blakely has performed all over the U.S. and in Europe, Mexico and Australia. He is excited about playing in Blanco and describes Blanco as “my kind of people.”

For those not able to attend the Gala Dinner, a special Music and Street Dance only entry fee of $10/person can be purchased the night of the event at the entry gate on Pecan Street, just east of the Courthouse Square. No advance purchase is available.

For those not able to attend this year’s event, underwriting donations are welcome. Mail your tax-deductible contribution to OBCCPS, P.O. Box 302, Blanco, TX 78606. Underwriting levels range from Cattle Barons ($5,000 or greater) and Trail Bosses ($2,500-$4,999) to Buckaroos ($100-$499) Trail Hands ($1-99).

For additional information about the “2010 True Grit Festival and Gala,” including receiving a reservation form for ordering tickets to the Gala Dinner and/or the True Grit Texas Hold’em Tournament, call Lesley Griffin, Courthouse Manager, at (830) 833-2211or email her at oldblanco@moment.net or contact Jeff Harkinson, Gala Co-Chair, at jharkinson@harkcorp.com or at (214) 934-8414. Ext. 14. Advance ticket orders will assist in planning efforts.