The 4-day celebration features, among other events, the coronation of "Queen Yam" at two pageants, a downtown carnival, two parades, a barn dance, a band marching contest, a luncheon for all service club members (open to the public), and various other contests, shows and exhibits.
Alexis Marie Williams, daughter of Brian and Irma Williams, will be crowned "Queen Yam" in two performances of the Queen's Coronation, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Gilmer Civic Center. The Gilmer High School senior was the nominee of the Twentieth Century Club for queen in last June's annual ticket-selling contest, which determines who wins the title.
Williams' grandfather, Paul David Williams, and great-grandfather, the late Don Williams, are past Yamboree Presidents and two of her great aunts are former Queen Yams.
Thursday's events include the 11:45 a.m. luncheon, featuring musician LaDarius Ahkaylon Daniels, at the Gilmer High School gymnasium. A saxophone player, and former member of the Gilmer ISD, Ore City ISD, and Tyler Junior College Apache Bands, Daniels is working his way through college playing solo and band performances in East Texas.
His group, Low D's Jam Band, plays blues, jazz/funk, rhythm and blues, contemporary, soul and reggae. His solo performances include all those.
Friday's highlights include the Art Show and Photography Show opening at 10 a.m. at the Yamboree Exhibit Building off U.S. Highway 271; the 11 a.m. School/Youth Parade downtown and yam pie judging at noon.
Among other events, Saturday will feature junior beef judging at the Yamboree Park on U.S. 271, an antique/classic car show, the 11 a.m. Queen's Parade downtown, the 1 p.m. fiddler's contest on the courthouse square, the 1 p.m. marching contest at Buckeye Stadium, the 2 p.m. livestock sale at the Yamboree Park, and the 8 p.m. barn dance, featuring singer Brandon Rhyder and opening act Mike Ryan at the Trinity Street Gym.
Crabtree Amusements will provide the carnival on and near the courthouse square throughout the festival starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, which is half price night.
Some of the festival's many other attractions include a display of past Yam Queens' gowns at the Historic Upshur Museum, a broiler sifting and show, a goat show, street dances, a market swine show, home canning judging, livestock shows, a gospel stage at the civic center, and a barbecue.
Randy Duke is president of this year's Yamboree. More information is available by contacting the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce at 903-843-2413.
