Floydada Residents Reunite to Toast 75 Years of Tradition

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 05-17-04 | Smith, P. Christine

[Theodore R.]

Floydada residents reunite to toast 75 years of tradition

BY P. CHRISTINE SMITH AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

FLOYDADA — For 74 years the community has gathered once each spring to honor those who came before them and to have a little fun.

Old Settlers Reunion is a tradition, something people have come to count on, much like grandma's handmade quilt or mom's turkey and dressing at Thanksgiving.

Floydada's Old Settlers Reunion, which includes a parade, will mark mark its 75th anniversary Saturday

"It's really amazing to me. It's almost like a homecoming," said Tim Assiter, a Floydada native who helps organize the annual event. "There are so many people from Floydada who've gone away who come back for Old Settlers Reunion."

This year's celebration, taking place Saturday, is going to be bigger than ever to commemorate the 75th anniversary, Assiter said.

Headlining the musical entertainment are the Otwell Twins. The Tulia natives' performances reached 60 million television viewers during their six-year stint on The Lawrence Welk Show.

Other performers include young local talent, which helps to draw a younger crowd, said Jon Jones, Floyd County Pioneer Association president.

"We really need to encourage new participation ... for the lifeblood of (the event)," he said.

[gcruse]

Fifty-six years ago,I visited relatives who lived above a store in Floydada and remember a fair amount of it. Floydada was on the back porch of nowhere back then. I'm surprised it isn't a ghost town today.