Reunion Pioneers & Old Settlers Reunion tradition
From the very first ride — a flying jenny pulled by two white horses — to week-long events of parades , contests and entertainment , much has changed since the Johnson County Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion was first held in 1892 . The 2023 reunion will be the 131st event . “ This is a great event we can all be involved in ,” Alvarado Chamber of Commerce President Marty Douglas said . “ It is four days of fun and excitement .”
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
One of the largest events of its kind in Texas , the reunion traces its beginnings to when John James , a local farmer and newspaper correspondent , proposed the idea to “ reunite the citizenship which was divided ” to some of his neighbors .
“ At that date and for several years prior , our citizenship was divided , strifes and in some instances bitter feelings , had been endangered by political agitation ,” James said in a Venus Times article . “ Friends of long standing had taken opposite sides in political matters , and many of them for the time had become political and social enemies .”
Although he was initially met with rejection , James and his fellow news writers organized a picnic at Elm Grove in June 1983 . Those in attendance voted to form an organization to oversee plans for an annual reunion .
The first official reunion was held from July 27-28 in 1893 at Gathings Park , just northeast of Cleburne , with more than 2,000 people in attendance .
Subsequent reunions were held in Alvarado , Grandview , Venus and Cleburne , until the organization purchased land for a permanent site in Alvarado once used as a camping place of the Caddo Indians when the first settlers came into the county . At the Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion Grounds , the first pavilion built in 1906 was destroyed by a tornado and the second pavilion was burned in 1965 . A third , larger pavilion was built in 1966 . The grounds also feature a 8,100-square-foot pavilion , a 1,875-squarefoot performing stage , a 1,875-square-foot conference room , small kitchen area and 18 acres for outdoor activities .
Throughout the years , the reunion changed from two days of festivities to six days .
The carnival of those early meetings consisted of one ride — a flying jenny pulled by two white horses .
Today , the events and entertainment include a parade , beauty contest , baby contest , fiddle contest , various bands and a carnival that con-
22 Alvarado Community Guide and Business Directory