Memorial High School - Reata Yearbook (Houston, TX)

Page 59 text:

By George Kiersted ' espite nearly endless entertainment possibili- ties in Houston, many students felt the desire to venture beyond city boundaries in search of fairs, cook-offs, exhibits and other activities of unusual nature. The places they wound up in var- iedg some were big cities, some tiny, some close at hand, and at least one in another state altogether. But wherever they were, the prime objective was to enjoy, experience, and, whenever possible, partici- pate. On the small end of the population scale there was Luckenbach. If they had given out awards a year ago for the town Least Likely to Become a Tourist Magnet, Luckenbach would have seemed a sure bet for the title. But with one Waylon Jen- nings' hit song, the three-man central Texas town came to symbolize back-to-the-basics simplicity, country style. It attracted thousands of curious vis- itors, especially in the summer and fall, the num- ber declining with the song's popularity as the year progressed. Dallas was one somewhat larger metropolis to sponsor a major out-of-town event: the -Texas State Fair, which ran from October 7-23. In its 92nd year, the fair attracted three million people to see its college football games, a rodeo, livestock shows, and food exhibits. The theme, The Great Food Round Up, was carried out to the fullest by hundreds of food and drink stands strewn about the grounds. While farm animals vied for ribbons in one arena, everything from quilts to preserves was being judged in another area, and at all times freak shows, rides and games of chance were carried on in the Mid- way. The '77 fair was considered by many to be one of the best ever. Junior Alex Na'rado said, I can't imagine a better one. It's great. Similar activities took place six miles north of Magnolia during October, when the Texas Renais- sance Festival plunged patrons five centuries into the past. The festival's stated goal was simply to recreate the festivals held in England and France during the thirteenth through the sixteenth centu- ries. The crowd at the festival found itself sur- rounded by strolling minstrels, the smell of turkey, fresh air. artisans, jugglers, peasants, noblemen, and even King Henry VII himself. Or, more accu- rately, George Coulam I posing as King Henry VII. The instruments played at the festivalgwere rep- licas of the instruments used in the Renaissance period. There were Krumhorns, wooden flutes, lutes, guitars, arched harps, and others. Also add- ing to the authenticity were Renaissance-style foods and beverages served at the fair along with some more ordinary American dishes. King Coulam stated, f'The Renaissance Festival began as a creative idea and it not only has histori- cal and educational value, but it wasjust a whole lot of fun for ye lords and ladiesf' Galveston was the hot spot on December 10, U.T. DAY was the excuse for many seniors to visit Austin. Stu- dents visited the University of Texas along with many other colleges on three-day weekends and college visitation day. Photo by Darryl Yee. when its Strand Street was transformed into a rec- reation of a Victorian England street scene circa the mid-l800's. The authenticity of the illusion impressed some visitors. They did a greatjob of making the atmosphere as it would have been in the time of Charles Dick- ens, said Kelly Truesdale. Freshman Joan Isensee remarked, Most of the ninth graders study Charles Dickens . . . and according to what we read that was the real atmos- phere. That's the way you think it was in Old Eng- land, especially with all those chestnut fires and hot wassailf' - In a similar historical vein, the priceless ancient objects discovered in King Tut's tomb drew some students as far as New Orleans. For the first time the Egyptian Government loaned the United States many of the treasures discovered in the tomb of King Tut. Chicago, New Orleans, Wash- ington D.C., Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York all housed the exhibit. Gold statuettes were found gracing all aspects of Tutfs tomb, including several of Tut himself. Many of the statues were of engraved gold, some inlaid with semi-precious stones. ffThe exhibit was really fantastic. All of the art- work was so advanced, detailed and intricatef' said Junior Colleen Blackwell. New Orleans caught Tut-mania when the exhibit began on September I5 and it took longer than January 15, when the exhibit closed, for it to recover. Tut memorabilia, from tee-shirts to pos- ters and jewelry, was sold in almost every shop in the French Quarter. For beer-drinking, fun seeking chili-lovers, state wide events tailored to their taste abounded. These included one at the state fair in Dallas, the Repub- lic of Texas chilimade state cook-off in San Mar- cos, the Seventh Annual Annie Oakley Memorial Chili Cook-off in Luckenbach, the Corpus Christi Chili Cook-off, and the biggest championship meet at Terlingua. Continued on page 54 Getting out of town 53

Page 58 text:

Zi. H In 4 5-' 5 M if X . f? X

Page 60 text:

Two dAy Relief l 54 ' Getting out of town Continued from page 53 But the Pentathelon Cook-Off at Bear Creek Park was certainly the most popular for Memorial students and at least the closest. A tasting contest was held there to determine the best gumbo, stew, beans, barbecue and chili, but the spirit at the event was more toward having a good time than toward competition. There was a bit of the thrill of competition, but more so they were there to have a good time - to forget about the drudgery of work for a weekend and just have some fun, commented Senior Jan- ice Webb. Two of the other activities at the cook-off were a beer can emptying sprint, in which the fastest beer gulper downed his 12-ounce can of Schlitz in about 15 seconds, and a beauty contest in which both Janice Webb and Junior Ginny Henry partic- ipated. The winner was a little two-year-old girl, said Janice. It was kind of a joke contest - we had fun, though? JUGGLING, MAGIC, MIME AND COMEDY WERE PERFORMED by roving entertainers at the Renaissance Festival. Photo by Kathy Epps. THE SMALL ONE-HORSE TOWN OF LUCKENBACH grew to great recognition as a result of country singerfsongwriter Waylon Jennings' Luckenbach, Texas. Senior Mike Jax took a day to visit the little town. A ' if Qe..-:s- x xt