GILMER, Texas — It’s a tradition like no other -- the 87th annual East Texas Yamboree in Gilmer with loads of history in this celebration dating back to 1935.
I've been coming every year for about 40 years now, and it is a family tradition," Casandra Dixon said.
The final day kicked off with the Queen's Parade, featuring royals of all ages, including some former royalty who couldn’t help but reminisce as they watched the girls on their floats.
"It's exciting because I know what they were going through, or going through the excitement the pageant you come." Sofia Hathaway said. "You get dressed in pageant dresses and people are cheering for you, so it's a wonderful, wonderful experience."
Families have been gathering for as long as anyone can remember, creating a celebration that spans generations.
"Our roots are here in Gilmer and so from that it’s a great way and great time to come back," Ann Derrick said. "What we do is celebrate each other, we get a chance to love on each other, and be a part of the action as well."
"It’s generation to generation, our parents did bring us here every year," Hashaway said.
The Yamboree isn't just a gathering for families it's a homecoming for local alumni returning to the area.
"Not only a family reunion, like a class reunion.," Twania Littonsaid. "We get to come and see friends who we havent saw in a year."
Food, fun, music and most importantly an event that reunites people.
"Some of these people, family or even high school friends you don't see them until the next Yamboree," Hashaway said.
Bringing those from far and wide, like Derrick who’s from Gilmer but lives in Austin now.
"No matter where we are, this is the central time of the year to have fun," Derrick said.
As the 87th Yamboree comes to a close and the festivities wind down, there’s a hint of sadness, much like the feeling when Christmas( vo SANTA!) has ended. A uniquely Gilmer tradition you can’t find anywhere else.
"This is Gilmer, " 87th President of the East Texas Yamboree Brett Williams said. "The month of September, October, you have the Yamboree. November, you have Thanksgiving. December, you have Christmas. So it's a holiday in itself, and it's a blessing to be able to have it for 87 years."
Officials say over 45,000 people attended the Yamboree, participating in this week's festivities.
RELATED: 'DEEPLY ROOTED' | 87th East Texas Yamboree queen honored to continue family members' royal legacy
DID YOU KNOW?
CBS19 is available live and on-demand on your favorite TV streaming device, anytime from anywhere in the U.S.
The free CBS19+ app for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and smart TV devices features a 24/7 stream with the latest from CBS19.
In addition to the live stream, watch the latest from CBS19 on-demand, along with additional programming from our partners at TEGNA (like Verify, "Murder at My Door" and "In the News") and Locked On Sports, plus special collections from CBS19 like Under the Lights, Hooked on East Texas and CBS19 Originals.
DOWNLOAD ON ROKU
Add the free CBS19 channel by searching for CBS19 East Texas News in the Roku Channel Store on your device, or add the CBS19+ Roku channel using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON FIRE TV
Search for the free CBS19+ app in the Amazon App Store directly on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, or add the CBS19+ Fire TV app using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON APPLE TV
Learn more about the free CBS19+ app in the Apple TV App Store and download directly from your Apple TV device.
DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART TV
The CBS19+ app is also now available directly on "smart" or "connected" televisions made by Samsung, LG and Philips, as well as televisions with Android TV. Search for CBS19 East Texas News in your television's app store to add CBS19+.
OTHER FREE WAYS TO WATCH
The CBS19+ 24/7 stream can be viewed on any desktop or mobile web browser anytime on the Watch page here on cbs19.tv.
You can also watch CBS19 News streaming live on the free CBS19 mobile app for your smartphone: