PALESTINECHAMBER . ORG 25 pageant was now included in the season ’ s activities . The average number of annual visitors to the trails was 50,000 .
The 1960s saw the addition of the now familiar Dogwood Trails Parade . The parade featured floats , marching bands and the previous year ’ s Dogwood Queen .
The following decade would see the addition of an annual Arts and Crafts Show . This show typically featured local and out of town artists and artisans displaying a variety of wares .
In the 1970s the Parks and Wildlife Commission decided on the development of an East Texas train run . This round trip excursion from Palestine to Rusk would become one of the longest-standing tourist attractions to the Palestine area ; It would develop into one of the most notable activities of the Dogwood Festival itself .