Downtown Parade

DOWNTOWN ABILENE GOES WEST FOR THE NIGHT!

Kick off the weekend’s western heritage festivities at the Parade! Wagons, riding clubs, antique cars and tractors, bands and floats all sport a western theme in this colorful display. The parade begins at 6:30 pm.

Find more information and Parade entry forms HERE!

GRAND MARSHAL - JAMES GHOLSON

James was born and raised in Stonewall County, Texas, where his family ranched since the 1880's. A horse was about his only toy as a child, so horses have been a big part of his life from an early age. The family ranch wasn't big enough or wild enough for a young cowpuncher, so at the age of 13, he moved into the Pitchfork bunkhouse to work the summers. This was the beginning of his love for the "Forks". While working for the Matadors in 1968, he met the love of his life, June Sandefer and married her in 1969, moving her to a camp in Fisher County, with 13 miles of dirt roads and no phone. Like a lot of young cowboys, they moved from ranch to ranch, raising three wonderful kids along the way. Carl Waurika, OK, April of Edgewood, NM, and Jay of Idalou, TX each have a wonderful family and have blessed James and June with seven grandchildren. In 1992, James went back to the Pitchfork's as the Wagon Boss, where he got to ride some of the best horses in the world. James said the Pitchfork horses made him who he is, winning many honors at Ranch Rodeos, like Top Hand at the Texas Ranch Round-up, Top Horse at Western Heritage Classic and WRCA in Amarillo, Wild Horse Prairie Days and two time Champion at the RCHA finals, as well as many other awards riding Pitchfork horses. Now retired, James and June live in Waurika, OK where he spends his days riding horses and roping steers. The Bible says, God will give you the desires of your heart, and He surely has. James says he is a blessed man. His advice to young cowboys is 'Ride for the brand'.