The Overton Sesquicentennial Celebration coincided with the Overton ISD Mustang homecoming. While the sesquicentennial was not exclusively an OISD event, Mustang students and staff were heavily involved as donors, volunteers and participants. It was a unique and cherished opportunity to honor our city, enjoy our community and celebrate what unites us.
The weekend began with a fun and outstanding golf outing hosted by the Overton Rotary Club. The tournament included 60 participants, and many found it reminiscent of times past during the course's hay-day. That afternoon, the high spirited Mustang Pep Rally was followed by an alumni reception, campus tours put on by our own student council members, a volleyball victory by our 10th ranked lady Mustangs, and a 68-6 romp by the undefeated Mustang football team over Colmesneil.
The celebration continued on Saturday with a 9:00am parade and Overton natives and guest Marshals - the Junk Gypsies (Amy and Jolie Sikes). The Little Mustangs, Athletics, Student Council, Cheer and The Marching Mustang Band were all represented. Following the parade was an official opening ceremony with Dr. Monte Roquette sharing town history and Mayor, Curtis Gilbert, reading a proclamation from the governor. Show cars and vendors lined the streets filled with excited community members, and children enjoyed games and events designed just for them; history walks were available in the afternoon, and local performers shared their talents on stage at Kennemer Square; an old fashioned Pie auction was followed by a performance from the Star Makers group, and the evening ended with a DJ and street dance at the intersection of Rusk and Henderson Streets.
Sunday morning began with a Boy Scout sponsored pancake breakfast at the community center; Pastor Nathan Cravens of Zion Baptist Church presided over a community worship service, and the McMillan Library hosted an Overton History display from 1pm to 4pm. The time capsule from the centennial celebration in 1973 was opened at 1:00pm while a capacity crowd listened and witnessed the items submitted by town's people of that time to be shared with future Overton residents. Finally a new time capsule will be sealed in the coming days to be opened at the bicentennial celebration in 2073.
Special thanks to Debbie Maxwell and members of the Overton Heritage Foundation for spearheading the planning efforts, and to the numerous volunteers that sponsored and worked events, and to the entire community for making it an outstanding success - filled with fond memories and, in the words posted on our City of Overton page, reminders that "We are Always Better Together"! It's a Great Day to be a MUSTANG!