Roxton — That Bicentennial Year

Do you remember 1976? I do! This was the year after I graduated from Roxton High School. The Roxton Ex-Students Board met for the first time in 1976 to plan for the Bicentennial 4th of July in Roxton. The article I looked at was written by former Roxtonite, Josephine Moore. Her article said that this was the first attempt at a real parade for Roxton. So this was the beginning of the Annual Roxton July 4th Parade. That year there was also a flea market, beard contest, spitting contest, square dance, street dance, picnic, worship service and fireworks along with the parade. The article said this was a “three-day event”. Can you believe that has been 45 years ago? Some of these events have definitely changed over the years. We have continued the parade, games, and firework show tradition. Many of you reading this have been there since the beginning! We still have people who travel to Roxton each year to be a part of these events to continue their ties and friendships with Roxton folk. The annual fireworks show came to an abrupt halt in 2020 when the COVID-19 Pandemic hit. We were able to have the parade (if you will remember with “social distancing” in place for the attendees) but no games! The fireworks have gradually gotten more expensive over the years with more hoops to jump through with having to get someone who is licensed to shoot them off. Our Roxton VFD always is there to assist with small fires that might happen, but they no longer are the ones who are the shooters. We will have the annual July 4th parade on Saturday, July 3rd at 10:00 in downtown Roxton, with the games to follow south of the pavilion. The Farmers Market will also be open. We are making plans to have the fireworks, but we will need the surrounding businesses and community’s financial support to make this happen. Our goal is to raise at least $5000 so that we can put on a decent show for the community on July 3, 2021. This is where you can help us out! We do have some people who have been contacted and are willing to put on a smaller version of a firework show. It will still be held at the Roxton Sports Complex at dark-thirty. We do need your help to make this fireworks show happen. We will have these donation levels this year: Grand Finale Sponsor - $500; Sky Rocket Sponsor - $250; Roman candle Sponsor - $100; Sparkler Sponsor - $25 - $50. To carry on the tradition of this event that was started in 1976, we are asking for your support. You can mail your donations to The Roxton Ex-Students Association, PO Box 282, Roxton, TX 75477.