This was the first year for the new Blanco Trade Days–held the last Saturday of each month from March to November–and a successful one at that! Our last Blanco Trade Days for the year (and first for 2011) will be held at Yett Park on New Year’s Eve, Friday, December 31 from 10am til ???. Fireworks will begin at midnight. Trade Days continues on New Year’s Day from 10am to 3pm.

There will be many craft vendors selling various crafts from liquor bottle lamps to jewelry, even gluten-free desserts. Hand crocheted caps, scarves, fingerless gloves, and other items will be sold to support “Caps 4 Troops” a project for deployed, military personnel. This is a state-wide project that was started locally and now has over 25 women (and one gentleman 92 years old who lives in Minnesota) who crochet or knit caps to send to our deployed military.

This particular Trade Days has joined the “Ring Out the Old – Bring in the New” Chili/BBQ Cook-Off held by Doug Higgins. He and his wife Susie are members of the Central Texas Tolbert Chili Group, which holds chili cook-offs all over South Texas while raising awareness for and supporting various non-profit organizations.

The public is invited to come out and participate. You can come cook your own chili or beans, or come out to judge some of the delicious menu items. Some of the judged categories will be chili, of course, beans, pork ribs, chicken, margaritas, bloody marys, omelets, Dutch oven main dish, and Dutch oven dessert. There will be dancing, karaoke, and Texas Hold’ Em Tournaments

The American Legion Memorial Highway Post 352 will man the snack bar while you shop. Silent auction items will be available, as well as raffle tickets sold for various prizes. There’s even a 50-50 drawing.

There’s lots to do and see, so come on out and join us. For more information, visit blancotradedays.i8.com or call 830-833-4460.