By Kathy Thomson

The final two performances of the 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle will take place this weekend, wrapping up the 81st anniversary edition of the show.

Good seats are still available for both of the final two shows, including a very limited number of box seats as of Monday evening.

First Week Review

The first weekend of the show went well, according to board president Lanham Martin.

“It went smooth, especially on Saturday,” said Martin. “Everyone was where they were supposed to be, and there weren’t any glitches.”

By Nolan Davis

Hundreds of spectators lined the streets of downtown Albany Saturday afternoon to watch the horses, wagons, floats, antique vehicles, and longhorns take over Main Street for the 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle Parade.

With temperatures a little cooler than the typical mid-June triple digits, both participants and spectators seemed to enjoy the event, even though it was a little shorter than usual.

Early deadlines have been set for the next two issues of The Albany News.

All news items and advertising for next Thursday’s July 4 issue will be due at 12:00 noon on Monday, July 1 rather than the usual Tuesday noon before publication.

According to News editor Melinda Lucas, the deadline has been moved up because the paper needs to be taken to the post office on Wednesday in time to be posted before the postal staff leaves for the Fourth of July holiday. 

By Kathy Thomson

Several activities are taking place in Albany this Friday and Saturday, offering an assortment of entertainment options during the day, and of course, the final two performances of the 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle will take center stage at the Prairie Theater both evenings.

Free activities offered on both June 28 and 29 include a quilt show, tracker organ concert, calliope concert, car museum, movie, longhorns on the Courthouse Square, and exhibits at the Old Jail Art Center. 

By Kathy Thomson

The Old Jail Art Center is hosting a Family Festival “Round Up” this Saturday, and everyone is invited to attend the free event and to visit the other exhibits on display at the fine art museum.

Located one block east of the Courthouse, the local museum does not charge admission and is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Fandangle performance nights. 

The Old Jail comprises 17,000 square feet and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. 

By Kathy Thomson

The annual Fandangle Pet Parade will take place near the Picket House at the Bank Park at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28 (tomorrow), and everyone is invited to bring their favorite pet to the parade and compete for prizes in several categories.

Along with a Best in Show, winners will be named in Summer Theme, Most Creative Costume, Most Unique Pet, and Best Wild West Costume.

Prizes have been donated by several area businesses including Albany Pet Hospital, Dr. Gary Fambro, EZ Feed, and Lively Dog House. 

By Nolan Davis

Fort Griffin will be holding a Stars and Skies of Texas: Star Party, this Saturday, June 29 at 9:00 p.m.

“Join us on June 29 at 9:00 p.m. as local astronomers share their knowledge of the night skies, telescopes, and other astronomy equipment with you,” said program specialist Eric Abercrombie. “You will have the opportunity to see planets, nebulas, distant galaxies, our own galaxy, and much more!”

The program will be held in the baseball field area of the campground and will run from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

By Kathy Thomson

Megan Harbin, the director of family outreach for Methodist Children’s Home in Abilene, will be giving a presentation this Sunday, June 30 during the 11:00 a.m. worship service at First United Methodist Church in Albany.

“There is a need for foster care for children in this area,” Harbin said. “Through MCH we help license foster families with the state so they can work with CPS, and we also have a private foster care option in which CPS is not involved.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Twenty-eight Albany students participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp held at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene last week, according to local FCA respresentative Paul Johnston.

The event was Monday through Friday, June 17-21, with more than 400 from around the Big Country in attendance.

Johnston said that 60 of those were from his territory – Big Country East – which in addition to Albany, includes Moran, Lueders, and 22 other communities.

By Kathy Thomson

Almost a dozen members of First Baptist Church will head to Del Rio this Sunday, June 30, on the congregation’s annual adult summer mission trip.

“We never know for sure how many until we see who actually shows up on the day we leave,” organizer Dinty Bowman said. “Our church started doing the mission trips in 1995 or 1996, and I’ve only missed out on four of those.”

Workers are welcome to join the mission group, and contributions to help offset the costs of the trip and construction supplies are also appreciated.