RUNNELS COUNTY—The 47th Annual Ballinger Arts and Crafts Festival in Texas for Ethnic Cultures was a return to normalcy after two years of Covid concerns that spurred event organizers across the state to cancel in 2021. This year, Ballinger is back with fanfare, and not just metaphorically.
Ballinger ethnic festival
There was an old west cowboy showdown with the result of a settlement in the courthouse garden, for all of you. District Judge Julia Miller and her dog were on a buoy in the prison during the show. Miller and County Jail Administrator Kimberly Dunn raise funds for the 1925 Runnels County Jail Project to restore the historic building.
Catfish were caught by hand, usually with children catching fish and game keepers clenching their fists to untie the creatures. Next, it’s time to re-bait and catch some more! There were about 100 catfish in the tank brought in by Texas Parks & Wildlife to introduce young and old alike to fishing. After the festival, the fish was donated to the Runnels County Film Festival for Fish Fry in July.
The start procession at 10 am filled the streets with festive mood as Mexican dancers, Ballinger HS members, and many companies and civic groups kicked off the party with a massive air of fun and life.
The entertainment in the courthouse garden continued until 4 p.m. Vendors filled with celebrations everywhere. In addition to the vendors, there was a Ballinger Humane Society booth so people could meet a four-legged friend and donate to 501c3.
The aforementioned gunfight (there’s no word on whether Runnels County Sheriff, Karl Squires, was able to get off the aisle), food from around the world, and everything cultural was celebrated in style under bluebird skies and balmy temperatures.
Festivities filled the day as people filled up on everything from kolaches to sausages. There was no shortage of fun on the beautiful day.
Runnels County Film Festival
The Runnels County Film Festival in Winters attracted dozens of people. Their discussion panel featured film director Shane Bradford, cinematographers Michael Murphy and Troy DeHouse, and actress Lisa Ray Bryant, as well as Hollywood stuntman/director/writer Jeff Capperton. The group discussed what it takes to make films, what they are looking for in locations, acting, etc.
Bradford shot a movie in Runnels County in 2020 and will start shooting another movie here in October.
Caperton showed some exciting driving skills in his stunt car after the plate. Show how they perform certain maneuvers in their cars, including 180-J turns, slides, turns, etc.
Live music was performed throughout the festival, with Jeff Jacobs’ band playing a full ensemble Friday evening to kick off the festivities. Saturday had 4 concerts, with Moon Dogs, Christopher Wright, Dale Phillips and Ragland performing throughout the day and at the VIP wrap.
Committee members were taken to the GPS insurance building for a tour that included the second floor that once housed the Masonic Lodge, a dentist, one of whom, ZV Dry, still has his name on the office glass, as well as several dentists. Business. The historic site is owned by Craig and Kelly Gehrel. Craig took the tour from the basement to the second floor, including showing off the four cellars of the building that once housed a large bank.
Festival organizers welcomed committee members to lunch at the Old Texas Theater in Ballinger. The restaurant was a festival sponsor and hosted a film festival auction in March.
The short film competition had many entries, and included a surprising emotional twist for Bradford.
In the competition, Murphy took first place with his movie “GHOST”, while Bradford took second place with “Adolescence”.
The third-placed film was written, produced, directed and shot by the Miles ISD Audiovisual Club. After the awards were presented, Bradford approached the stage and addressed the festival organizers, saying, “I love this award, but you got it wrong. I already think the students took second place, so I’m going to exchange awards with them because their film was better than me.”
Bradford went to where the students were where he convinced them to exchange prizes with him until he eventually came home in third place and the students took second place. The move surprised everyone and was the “happiest moment” at the festival.
The festival was held at the Winters Community Center where Ballinger’s The Last Chapter Business Solutions took 6 rides for the kids to keep the little ones entertained. The ride is set to “free” so that, unlike two decades ago, you didn’t have to cut a quarter to get the ride in front of a grocery store.
The VIP wrap party was held at Gypsy Thread, Tees & More in Winters. The party was limited to 100 people, as sponsors and guests filled the venue as the ragland band performed. The band was recently on the opening tour for Reckless Kelly. Angela Neo, owner of Gypsy Thread, was one of the organizers of the film festival and received a special award alongside Jeff Smith of KRUN Radio.
The beer and food were donated by two Miles companies: The Catch Pen, which is owned and operated by Shelly Granzin, as well as The Cobblestone Coffee House owned by Lacy Ellison.
Festival organizers also announced that the 2023 Runnels County Film Festival will take place in Miles, Texas from November 10-11.
Lone Star Market paints from near and far
Not to be outdone, the Lone Star Market in the Wool & Mohair Building in Ballinger attracted around 1,000 people. Vendors in the market offered merchandise from everyday items like home decor to eclectic items. Vendors filled the huge place.
The market was located only a block away from where the ethnic festival was being held at Runnels County Courthouse. Insiders from near and far attend the market when it opens several times a year.
