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Friday
March 19, 2010 Since 1922 |
Barrett Station prepares for 20th homecoming
By Rachael Seeley
Baytown Sun Published July 10, 2006 The Barrett Station Civic League is hosting its 20th annual homecoming celebration complete with a talent show, pageant and parade Tuesday through Friday of next week.
Current and former residents of the historic town including alumni of Charles R. Crew High School, a segregated school that was integrated with Crosby High School in the 1970s, will come together from all over Texas and The United States to join in the festivities.
“This is one of those times of the year that the entire community just gets together to mingle and socialize,” said Melody Fontenot, editor and administrator for the Barrett Station Civic League said.
“It’s kind of like a big community reunion.”
The weeklong festivities begin with a Showtime at the Apollo-themed talent show at 7 p.m. on July 11, where people of all ages will show off their special abilities. The following night, youth will strut their stuff in the Annual King and Queen Contest.
The winners will be chosen based on an array of criteria, including number of tickets sold to the event, dress and walk. Winners will be named Mr. and Mrs. Barrett Station and play an important role in Saturday’s parade.
The Annual Homecoming Banquet on Friday will feature keynote speaker Mary (Bush) Johnson, a Charles R. Drew alumna who spent 41 years working at Prairie View A&M University.
“She has come back to share with us the things she took out of the community that helped her,” said Willie “Dolly B.” Goodlow, Barrett Station Civic League President.
Wrapping up the festivities is the annual Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, complete with floats, decorated cars, vans and trail riders with decorated horses and wagons.
Senior Citizen Homecoming King Embrick Edwards will ride in a decorated wagon. Embrick is a Class of 1957 Charles R. Drew alumnus, and active in the Barrett Station community.
He’s looking forward to seeing old high school friends and mingling with community members.
“Everybody’s invited to come and enjoy Barrett Station, it’s the best community in Texas,” Edwards said.
After the parade, a variety of activities will take place at Riley Chambers Community Park, 808 1/2 Magnolia, including a silent auction, a three-on-three youth basketball tournament, co-ed family softball, food, fun, games and a health fair.
Former slave Simon Barrett founded the town as Barrett’s Settlement in the late 1800s. Freed slaves from across the south moved in after the Civil War and it grew into one of the largest tracts of land to be owned by former slaves in Harris County.
Today, nearly 3,000 people live in the historic black community south of U.S. 90, near Crosby.
“We’re remembering our roots and trying to keep community unity afloat,” Goodlow, said.
For more information about homecoming events, contact Willie “Dolly B.” Goodlow, Barrett Station Civic League President, 281-328-2289.
Baytown Sun Published July 10, 2006 The Barrett Station Civic League is hosting its 20th annual homecoming celebration complete with a talent show, pageant and parade Tuesday through Friday of next week.
Current and former residents of the historic town including alumni of Charles R. Crew High School, a segregated school that was integrated with Crosby High School in the 1970s, will come together from all over Texas and The United States to join in the festivities.
“This is one of those times of the year that the entire community just gets together to mingle and socialize,” said Melody Fontenot, editor and administrator for the Barrett Station Civic League said.
“It’s kind of like a big community reunion.”
The weeklong festivities begin with a Showtime at the Apollo-themed talent show at 7 p.m. on July 11, where people of all ages will show off their special abilities. The following night, youth will strut their stuff in the Annual King and Queen Contest.
The winners will be chosen based on an array of criteria, including number of tickets sold to the event, dress and walk. Winners will be named Mr. and Mrs. Barrett Station and play an important role in Saturday’s parade.
The Annual Homecoming Banquet on Friday will feature keynote speaker Mary (Bush) Johnson, a Charles R. Drew alumna who spent 41 years working at Prairie View A&M University.
“She has come back to share with us the things she took out of the community that helped her,” said Willie “Dolly B.” Goodlow, Barrett Station Civic League President.
Wrapping up the festivities is the annual Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, complete with floats, decorated cars, vans and trail riders with decorated horses and wagons.
Senior Citizen Homecoming King Embrick Edwards will ride in a decorated wagon. Embrick is a Class of 1957 Charles R. Drew alumnus, and active in the Barrett Station community.
He’s looking forward to seeing old high school friends and mingling with community members.
“Everybody’s invited to come and enjoy Barrett Station, it’s the best community in Texas,” Edwards said.
After the parade, a variety of activities will take place at Riley Chambers Community Park, 808 1/2 Magnolia, including a silent auction, a three-on-three youth basketball tournament, co-ed family softball, food, fun, games and a health fair.
Former slave Simon Barrett founded the town as Barrett’s Settlement in the late 1800s. Freed slaves from across the south moved in after the Civil War and it grew into one of the largest tracts of land to be owned by former slaves in Harris County.
Today, nearly 3,000 people live in the historic black community south of U.S. 90, near Crosby.
“We’re remembering our roots and trying to keep community unity afloat,” Goodlow, said.
For more information about homecoming events, contact Willie “Dolly B.” Goodlow, Barrett Station Civic League President, 281-328-2289.