2019 Events

Local events held September 14, 2019.

Local Events, 2019

Quitaque, 2 PM - Official Quitaque Welcome Reception for members of the Comanche Nation. Phil Barefield, Mayor of Quitaque, welcomed an official delegation from the Comanche Nation, led by Vice-Chair LaNora Parker, Quanah's great-granddaughter. Don Parker, Quanah's great-grandson, sang the Quanah Parker song. Location: Tri-County Meals Building, 220 E. Main St., Quitaque, TX 79255.

Quitaque, 3 PM - Caprock Canyons State Park outside Quitaque, Texas (home of the Official Texas State Bison Herd) hosted a major celebration, led by Park Superintendent Donald Beard. More than two dozen Comanches, most of them descendants of Quanah, were present. Singers and drummers presented a multi-faceted program, much in the Comanche language. Location: Caprock Canyons State Park.

Elkhart, 10 AM - Quanah Parker Day celebration at Pilgrim Church and Cemetery, sponsored by the Parker Family Reunion Committee. Since 1953, the Parker Family Reunion Committee has hosted an annual family reunion for the descendants of Elder John Parker, Quanah's great-grandfather. Pilgrim Church was founded by Quanah's great-uncle, Elder Daniel Parker. Daniel, his brother James (the founder of Fort Parker), and numerous other members of Quanah's Parker family are buried at Pilgrim. Location: 1559 FM 861, Elkhart, TX 75839.

Groesbeck, 2 PM - Old Fort Parker, the site where nine-year-old Cynthia Ann Parker was taken, celebrated Quanah Parker Day all day, with a program on Quanah at 2 PM. Visitors were asked to bring pictures, articles, and stories of Quanah Parker. Location: 866 Park Road 35, Groesbeck, TX 76642.

Lubbock, 10 AM - The National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University, a museum and outdoor historical park, hosted Comanche Parker family descendants to recall the historical legacy of their great-grandfather. Visitors were invited to stay to interact with the living history Ranch Host volunteers. Location: 3121 Fourth St., Lubbock, TX 79409.

New Home, 2 PM - Multimedia program was held, telling the story of Quanah Parker in the Plains Trail region and how this historical figure became honored by Lynn County resident Charles A. Smith in creating 86 steel arrows to mark the Quanah Parker Trail. Location: Fellowship Hall of the Baptist Church, 128 Smith Street, New Home, TX 79381.

New Home, 3 PM - A granite marker was dedicated outdoors at the first arrow Smith created and installed on the grounds of the Gid Moore Crop Insurance Agency (127 W Broadway, New Home, TX 79381). Participants were asked to bring folding chairs, water bottles, hats. Descendants of Quanah Parker conferred a Comanche Blessing on this giant arrow and its granite marker that commemorates the spirit of Charles Smith and his gift of arrows in honor of their ancestor.

Quanah - The town named for Quanah Parker held its 36th Annual Quanah Fall Festival on Quanah Parker Day from 9 AM to 5 PM, and opened the Quanah Parker Center. Location: Downtown Courthouse Square, Quanah, TX 79252.