GILMER, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video aired in October 2022.
Gilmer's East Texas Yamboree has activities for the whole family to enjoy as the annual yam-inspired festival kicks off this Wednesday.
The Yamboree draws thousands of people to the Gilmer area and has celebrated yams since 1935. The 2023-2024 East Texas Yamboree Queen Elect is Addison Jayne Young.
Events include a barn dance, concerts, livestock and agriculture mechanics show, photography activities, the queen's coronation, the queen's pageant, gospel music, carnival on the county square and parades on Friday and Saturday.
See the list below for a full schedule of events:
TUESDAY, OCT. 17
Noon to 6 p.m.: Quilt Show entries accepted (Redemption Worship Center)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18
- 7 a.m.: Broiler Show (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Quilt Show
- 10:30 a.m.: Museum – display of Queen’s Gowns (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 11 a.m. Rabbit Show (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 1 to 4 p.m.: Inside Exhibit entries accepted (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 6 p.m. Carnival/Youth Night (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer); all rides are half-priced till midnight
- 7:30 p.m. Queen’s Coronation (Gilmer Civic Center on Highway 271)
THURSDAY, OCT. 19
- 8:30 a.m.: Market Swine Show (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 10 a.m.: Bandstand opens (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Inside Exhibits opens (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Quilt Show (Redemption Worship Center)
- 10:30 a.m.: Museum – display of Queen’s Gowns (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 11:45 a.m.: All Service Club Luncheon (Yamboree Event Center, 181 Bob Glaze Drive)
- Noon: Carnival opens (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- Noon to 6 p.m.: Outside exhibits open (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 7:30 p.m.: Queen’s Coronation (Gilmer Civic Center on Highway 271)
- 8:30 p.m.: Street Dance at Bandstand (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- Midnight carnival closes
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Outside exhibits (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 9 a.m.: Bandstand opens (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Inside Exhibits opens (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Quilt Show (Redemption Worship Center)
- 10:30 a.m.: Museum – display of Queen’s Gowns (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 11 a.m.: School/Youth Parade (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- Noon: Carnival opens (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- Area bands perform on Bandstand (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 1:30 p.m.: Steer Show (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 3 p.m. Commercial Dairy Show (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- Jr. Dairy Show (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 4 to 9 p.m. Gospel Stage (Gilmer Civic Center on Highway 271)
- 8:30 p.m.: Street Dance at Bandstand (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- Midnight carnival closes
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
- 8 to 10 a.m.: Antique/Classic Car Show (E. Cass St.)
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Outside Exhibits (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- Bandstand opens (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Inside Exhibits opens (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Quilt Show (Redemption Worship Center)
- Pre-registration for Fiddler’s Contest (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 10:30 a.m.: Museum – display of Queen’s Gowns (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 11 a.m.: Queen’s Parade (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Yamboree Barbecue ((Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Gospel Stage (Gilmer Civic Center on Highway 271)
- Carnival opens (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 1 p.m. Fiddler’s Contest starts (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- 2 p.m. Livestock Sale (Yamboree Park, Highway 271 North)
- 7:30 p.m.: Barn Dance (Yamboree Event Center, 181 Bob Glaze Drive)
- 8:30 p.m.: Street Dance at Bandstand (Courthouse Square in downtown Gilmer)
- Midnight carnival closes
For more information, visit the East Texas Yamboree website, yamboree.com.